Euro Weed: Ukraine On Verge Of Legalizing Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Updates From France & Germany

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.

See Also: Ukraine 'Global Epicenter Of PTSD': Cannabis Can Help, But It's Stuck In Legal Limbo

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 about the legalization leading to uncontrolled production and consumption. The group with the largest parliamentary presence is Servant of the People Party.

It is expected that combat veterans would mostly benefit from the measure. Taras Gaevych, a 36-year junior sergeant who is fighting against Russia’s troops is pleading with regulators to pass the measure.

“If it’s not passed, I think it will be a problem for soldiers and thus for the whole society, if they fail to get this treatment,” he said.

Germany: Parliament Discusses Cannabis Legalization Proposal

During a parliamentary Health Committee hearing on Monday, regulators in Germany heard comments from professionals on the proposal to legalize cannabis. Additionally, lawmakers discussed another path that would only concentrate on reducing marijuana use via education and public health initiatives writes Marijuana Moment.

Several weeks ago, Germany’s federal parliament, the Bundestag, debated for the first time a draft legislation that would regulate and legalize cannabis. The Federal Government's draft law, backed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz seeks to legalize the possession and consumption of cannabis for adults under specific conditions and promotes responsible marijuana use.

“The federal government states that current developments show that the consumption of cannabis, despite the existing prohibition rules, is increasing, particularly among young people,” Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, a Green Party lawmaker said. “Cannabis that is purchased on the black market is often associated with a higher health risk because the THC content is unknown to those who consume it and it contains toxic impurities and synthetic cannabinoids that can be very dangerous and whose effects are not estimated by those who consume them.”

The proposal is heading to the full chamber next for a second and third, final reading on Nov. 16.

France: Medical Marijuana Will Be Generalized In 2025

France recently took a step toward the generalization of medical marijuana, reports Business of Cannabis. On Oct. 23 the government proposed an amendment to the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) concerning medical marijuana (MMJ). This is the first time, medical cannabis law was presented to France’s general medical framework.

Under the new proposals, MMJ products will be granted a “temporary authorization” for five years, with a possibility of indefinite renewals.

Benjamin-Alexandre Jeanroy of Paris-based Augur Associates told the outlet that this “is a very important step because it brings medical cannabis into general law”.

“That is a huge victory in itself…While it’s still hard for patients, who still have to try every other treatment before being prescribed, it’s now part of the toolbox for doctors to prescribe and patients to access.”

Because the generalization can’t start before January 2025, pending a desiccation by European authorities and the current experiment set to end in April 2023, the government set a budget of €10M ($10.7M) for the transition period that shouldn’t last more than nine months. During the transition period, patients will be able to obtain their medicine and get reimbursed. 

Once generalization starts MMJ will still be a last-resort treatment, and can only be prescribed in hospitals.

See Also: Europe's High: Irish GPs Against Pot, Switzerland-Spain Share Data On Cannabis Clubs & More

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Claudio Schwarz and Brian Jones on Unsplash