It’s a new milestone for the medical cannabis industry and for Europe: The Ukraine parliament has voted to legalize medical cannabis.
Now it’s set for President Zelensky for official approval.
The new law, which was proposed by Prime Minister Denys Smyhal, will go into effect in six months.
The passage of the bill follows a very fractious period in Ukraine. Talks in Ukraine about cannabis accelerated after the start of the war and culminated in July when the nation’s parliament, in an initial vote, passed legislation, allowing it for medical purposes. It was then finalized and approved by the National Health, Medical Care and Health Insurance Committee in October.
A flurry of excitement is rippling throughout the cannabis community as a result of Ukraine lawmakers voting to legalize medical cannabis.
Jeffrey M. Zucker, co-founder and president of Green Lion Partners, a Denver-based cannabis consulting firm, enthused about the therapeutic benefits medical cannabis will provide the Ukrainian people in light of the ongoing war with Russia.
“We applaud the Ukrainian people for embracing medical cannabis,” he said. “The success of this legislation isn’t just about access to a plant; it’s about offering hope and healing to a nation scarred by unimaginable trauma. It’s about compassion, recognizing the suffering of the Ukrainian people and offering them a tool for healing. It’s about showing the world that even in the darkest of times, Ukraine chooses to embrace hope and science for the sake of its citizens.”
Michael Sassano, founder, chairman and CEO of Somai Pharmaceuticals, a Portuguese medical cannabis company, echoed Zucker’s excitement about the healing benefits the plant will provide to a nation in trauma. He also urged countries to end cannabis prohibition.
“Ukraine legalizing cannabis should be a signal to all countries that prohibit medicinal cannabis, that there are much worst things happening in the world and if you find healing in cannabis, then it’s archaic to prevent it,” he said. “”Observational trials on post-traumatic stress disorcer and cannabis over the last decade has shown to help many of those suffering from frantic events. It’s a correct time for governments to loosen up their prohibition of cannabis that can help their people.”
For Leslie Bocksor, CEO and chairman of Indoor Harvest Corp, an Austin-based producer of hemp products, Ukraine voting to legalize medical cannabis is a game-changer and a boon for the Ukrainian people.
“This is a great opportunity in so many ways,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to provide compassionate use to people that are going to need it more than ever. It’s a great opportunity to reduce the reliance on opioid-based pain management. It’s a great opportunity to establish a foundational approach to health and wellness as Ukraine rebuilds. And, lastly it is an incredible economic opportunity for Western businesses to establish their foothold in this economy. A sad truth is that there is never more economic opportunity than after a devastating war like what we’ve seen over there.”
Recreational cannabis still remains illegal in Ukraine.
Source: Iris Dorbian – forbes.com
