Euro Weed: Ukraine Soldiers Seek Marijuana To Ease 'Phantom Pain,' Greek MP Wants Legal Framework & More

Over the last couple of years, Europe has become more open-minded about medical and recreational marijuana. Here are some of the latest cannabis developments from Malta, Greece, the United Kingdom and Ukraine, 

Malta: Three New Cannabis Association Licenses Approved

Three new associations have been awarded operational marijuana licenses in Malta, bringing a total of up to five. These three new Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations are Sprawt, Northern Lights and NEGE, reported Lovin Malta. 

In October, the first two operational licenses were granted to KDD Society and Ta' Zelli, enabling them to legally grow their cannabis. The first licenses come nearly two years after Malta became the first country in Europe to legalize recreational cannabis. 

The Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis also organized the first harm reduction training for both licensed and in-principle Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations. 

Greece: Parliament Member Urges European Commission For Medical Marijuana Framework 

MP Stelios Kouloglou urged the European Commission (EC) to act on the lack of legislative framework for medical marijuana, which forced patients to turn to the illegal market reported Business of Cannabis. 

Even though Greece legalized medical marijuana in 2017, it took about six years to get its first medical cannabis production plant at Examilia, in Corinth. Tikun-Olam Cannbit’s TKUNF subsidiary, Tikun Europe, was welcomed by Greek Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis. The first flower-based products are expected to be available later next year. 

Considering that in November 2021, the Greek government banned the import of medicinal marijuana products, patients are left with no other choice than the illicit market. 

Kouloglou told the EC that the medical marijuana legal framework would “effectively limit the black market, regulate both quality and accurate labeling and ensure legal, safe access to medicinal products for medical use. The use of cannabis for medical purposes is universally accepted.” 

“The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes prescribing it for a wide range of conditions and the European Parliament has called on European and national authorities to address the issue legislatively, fund research and innovation and provide information to health professionals,” he added.

United Kingdom: Illegal Cannabis Products Advertised For Sale Near Schools 

QR codes on lampposts advertising marijuana sales have spread around schools, universities and police stations in Worcester, England. Similar stickers worded “get you delivery” with a QR code and picture of a marijuana leaf, first appeared in London, according to Metro. 

These QR codes in London allegedly take people to a website with marijuana products falsely claiming to be legal. 

“They are targeting our children and that shouldn’t be allowed. They need to come down as soon as possible,” one Worcester mom said. 

Ukraine: Soldiers Are Already Turning To Cannabis To Ease 'Phantom Pain' 

As Ukrainians await to see if a special procedure would limit the number of amendments that can be raised in parliaments, to avoid Verkhovna Rada having to review 882 amendments aimed at blocking marijuana legalization, many soldiers are already using cannabis to cope with their pain, reported The Kyiv Independent.

These soldiers, however, are reluctant to confirm cannabis use in public, due to the plant’s legal status. 

“I know a lot of guys who lost their legs or arms and turned to cannabis,” a French soldier fighting for Ukraine, who wanted to stay anonymous, told the outlet. Many soldiers are dealing with “phantom pain” from amputated limbs and cannabis seems to offer them relief.

Daniel Rebar, an American combat medic serving in Ukraine told the Kyiv Independent that medical marijuana should be legally allowed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“We trust doctors with much more potent and serious medication than marijuana, I don’t know why we wouldn’t allow them to prescribe marijuana as well,” Rebar said.

According to Olha Stefanishyna, an MP from the Holos party who is pushing for the reform, there are around six million people in Ukraine who would benefit from medical marijuana.

The Ukrainian healthcare ministry reported in September 2022 that more than 90% of Ukrainians have developed at least one symptom of PTSD since the war started and that 57% are at risk of developing PTSD.

Swiss-Based Cannabis Company Acquires Czech-Based CBD Veterinary Product Line 

Swiss cannabis company Astrasana Holdings AG recently acquired the majority of Relief for Pets, a Czech Republic-based manufacturer of CBD-infused veterinary products, writes Business of Cannabis.

“In the past 10-20 years, there has been a significant humanization of pets,” Yves Antoniazzi, CEO of Astrasana stated. “For many pet owners, their animals mean almost as much as themselves. Those familiar with the cannabis market understand the general challenges of approved products and the complications of usage instructions. Relief for Pets fits perfectly into the corporate portfolio of the Astrasana Holding Group.”

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