Ukraine legalized marijuana

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has excluded cannabis, its resin, extracts and tinctures from the list of particularly dangerous substances, allowing the cultivation of hemp for medical and industrial purposes, the Ministry of Health reports . The corresponding resolution was published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada.

The changes will come into force on August 16, simultaneously with the introduction of the law on medical cannabis, signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2024.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis, was also excluded from the list. Now, plants of the genus hemp will be included in the lists of plants "containing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the circulation of which is permitted for use in educational purposes, educational, scientific and scientific-technical activities," as well as in the production of medical drugs.

In addition, the regulation allows the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes. The only condition is that the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol in dried straw should not exceed 0.2%. However, starting on February 16, 2027, the maximum permissible THC content will be increased by another 0.1%.

The department explained that of the many cannabinoids and other substances contained in the cannabis plant, only tetrahydrocannabinol and its isomers have a psychoactive effect. Other cannabinoids do not affect the mental state, but have a positive effect in the treatment of certain diseases. However, all types of activities related to medical cannabis will be strictly licensed.

“Like any medicine, patients will be able to obtain cannabis-based drugs in accordance with medical indications, exclusively as prescribed by a doctor and with an electronic prescription,” the department said in a statement.

In February 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law legalizing medical cannabis. According to the law, the cultivation and use of marijuana will be allowed in Ukraine, but the circulation of cannabis will be subject to control. Only legal entities with a special license will be able to produce it, and data on production and sales will need to be entered into a special accounting system within five days.

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