The President of Ukraine has called for the legalization medical marijuana in order to help Ukrainians deal with the trauma they are experiencing as a result of the war with Russia.
According to a translation, in an address on Wednesday to the Ukrainian parliament, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “all of the best practices from around the world, all of the most effective policies and all solutions, regardless of how difficult or uncommon they may appear to us, should be implemented in Ukraine, so that Ukrainians, our citizens, don’t have to suffer the pain, stress, and trauma that war brings,”
Ukrainska Pravda, the first to report, said that “We must, in particular, legalize cannabis-based medicine for all who need it, with scientific research appropriate and controlled Ukrainian production.”
The president said that providing medical cannabis access could be a therapeutic alternative for citizens who endured more than one year of intense conflict following the first Russian invasion in February 2022.
Zelensky, during his presidential campaign, also expressed support for the legalization of medical cannabis. He said that it would be “normal,” in 2019, to allow people access to cannabis “droplets,” a possible reference to marijuana tinctures.
Zelensky’s cabinet has taken steps towards legalizing medical cannabis. Last year, the Cabinet approved a draft reform bill that still needs to be approved by Parliament.
Viktor Liashko , Minister of Healthcare, said, that the bill will allow “the circulation and use of cannabis plants in medical, industrial, scientific, and scientific-technical purposes to create conditions to expand access to patients for the treatment of cancer, and post-traumatic disorder due to war.”
He said, “We are aware of the negative effects of war on mental health.” We know how many people will require medical treatment due to this impact. We also understand that we have no time to waste.
This policy change will put Ukraine in stark contrast with its longtime aggressor Russia. Russia has taken an especially strong position against the reformation of cannabis policy on the international level via the United Nations. The country has condemned Canada’s decision to legalize marijuana across the board.
According to an official social media account, the deputy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated last year that the legalization efforts of the U.S.A. and Canada were “of great concern” for the country. It is alarming that some EU member states are considering breaking their drug control obligations.
In the U.S. Congress, lawmakers are also increasing pressure on the Biden Administration to make steps to secure Marc Fogel’s release from a Russian prison. Marc Fogel is currently facing a 14 year sentence for possession of medical marijuana that he acquired as a registered Pennsylvania patient.
Fogel is serving a 14 year sentence of hard labor for possessing medical marijuana that was used to treat a severe back injury. This charge is very similar to the one that was brought against WNBA star Brittney Greiner, who served time in a Russian jail over possession of cannabis oils that she had also obtained lawfully as a medical marijuana patients in Arizona. Guy Reschenthaler, R-PA, said in a Tuesday press release that he was introducing a law that would require State Department to explain to the public why Fogel and American detainees abroad were not designated as being wrongfully detained so diplomatic efforts could be intensified to free them.
Griner, unlike Fogel was declared by the State Department to have been wrongfully detained prior to being released in a prisoner exchange negotiated by the Biden administration.
Zelensky made his comments about legalizing medical marijuana on the same day the Luxembourg Parliament passed a law legalizing the possession and cultivation of marijuana for adults. This makes Luxembourg the second European country to abolish prohibition.
The Luxembourg parliament votes to legalize marijuana possession and cultivation, making it the second EU country to end prohibition
The first time Marijuana Moment published the post Ukraine President Says Medical Marijuana can Help People Affected By “Trauma Of War” With Russia.
