Ukraine: Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Could Be Approved Soon
Final discussion on the medical marijuana legalization bill in Ukraine might just happen at parliament’s next meeting, the head of its health committee Mykhaylo Radutskyi, told Bloomberg. The meeting is meant to be held sometime early this month, but the exact date is not publicly disclosed for security reasons. The outlet reports that one of the regulators said the measure might be approved this month.
This June, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed his support for legalizing medical marijuana. He said at the time that Ukraine should undertake an effort to create the best mental and physical rehabilitation sector in Europe by building centers and educating personnel.
"In particular, we must finally honestly legalize cannabis-based medicine for everyone who needs it, [with] the relevant scientific research and controlled Ukrainian manufacturing,” Zelensky said.
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In October, the second draft of a bill was approved by the country’s Healthcare Committee, with Ukrainian MP and committee member Olga Stefanyshyna confirming the Committee’s recommendation for the medical cannabis bill for a second reading in the parliament.
A July survey from the Kyiv-based Razumkov Centre revealed divided support for the proposal with 37% backing it, and 35% opposing it. Among opponents is ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is concerned …