EU to Supply Ukraine With Medicinal Cannabis

In an interview with the Ukrainian News Agency, Slobodnichenko said that there is interest from the EU to assist Ukraine with the available cannabis supplies. However, all of this remains carefully regulated, with medical cannabis only intended for patients with well-defined health conditions.

Ukraine's medical cannabis program was not officially launched until August 2024. The road to this initiative began in December 2023, when the Ukrainian parliament passed the reform, followed by President Zelensky's signature in February 2024.

Now cannabis resin, extracts and tinctures are no longer classified as "dangerous substances" in Ukraine. This legislative change allows for the development of medical cannabis products in the country and is consistent with strict oversight that ensures compliance and public safety. The Ministry of Health and other regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and the National Police oversee the process from production to patient access.

The Ukrainian government has drafted a legal framework to manage the production and distribution of medical cannabis. The guidelines stipulate that licensed facilities will grow medical cannabis in "closed conditions." Video surveillance will be in place 24/7. The idea, of course, is to prevent theft, unauthorized use or distribution. Additionally, cannabis seeds will receive quality certification and entry in the State Register of Varieties of Ukraine. The cultivation and processing processes will be carefully documented and regulated to meet compliance standards.

Medical cannabis products in Ukraine are available only by prescription. They are only for people whose diseases do not respond well to conventional treatments or have intolerable side effects. To facilitate access for patients, prescriptions will be processed electronically, specifying the product form and specific ingredients.

The products available to patients will be limited to certain forms, including drops, capsules and toothpastes, ensuring standardized formulations and consistent dosage. Ukrainian regulations also allow patients limited access to medical cannabis when travelling, provided the quantities comply with the prescribed limits.

It has not yet been announced which countries the cannabis will be supplied from.

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