On Thursday, December 21, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada—the Ukrainian parliament—voted to make medical cannabis legal in the country; it was supported by 248 lawmakers (1). Cannabis for recreational uses will remain illegal (1). Earlier this year, the parliament passed an initial vote on the issue, which was then approved in October by the National Health, Medical Care and Health Insurance Committee (1). Supporters of the bill argue that medical cannabis is needed for mental and physical treatment of patients, soldiers, and civilians with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions (2). The bill would also enable cannabis to be used for scientific purposes (3).

Source: Forbes December 22, 2023 00:48 UTC