A large-scale war actualized the problem of legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine. Proponents of such a step emphasize the urgent need for legalization in connection with the rapid increase in the number of people suffering from injuries as a result of hostilities: military and civilian. We figured out whether the issue of legalization of medical cannabis really faces Ukrainian society so acutely and what problems will it solve?
The law No. 7457 is draft currently in the Verkhovna Rada It`s about “The regulation of the circulation of hemp plants (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and technical activities”, and was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on June 10, 2022. It is likely that the mentioned law would be considered by people’s deputies already next week.
The initiators of this law claim that its possible adoption by the Verkhovna Rada will make life much easier for militarizes and civilians who suffered as a result of hostilities and need medical cannabis for treatment.
What is medical cannabis?
When we talk about “medical cannabis”, we mean the plant, which scientists call Cánnabis sativa, or the chemicals, isolated from it, which are used by doctors to relieve pain or treat diseases related to the malfunction of the nervous system. Medical cannabis can reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, improve appetite in AIDS patients, reduce chronic pain and muscle spasms, and treat severe forms of epilepsy.
The properties of medical cannabis are determined by its content of two types of cannabinoids: cannabidol and tetrahydrocannabidol (THC). Cannabidol is not a psychotropic substance, and THC has minor “intoxicating properties”.
The difference between medical and non-medical cannabis is created by the content of these cannabinoids in the plant: those that contain a lot of cannabidol are practically devoid of THC content. Thus, patients who use medical cannabis rarely or never feel “intoxicated”.
Therefore, it is almost impossible to get a “high” from the use of medical cannabis. The main property is not to cause a feeling of “intoxication” , but to reduce pain from illness or injuries.
Thus, the opinion, which often can be heard in society and in social networks, that the legalization of medical cannabis is equal to the “legalization of drugs” is erroneous.
Vyacheslav Zhukov, the Head of the working group on draft law No. 7457, notes: “Medical cannabis is not a narcotic drug. These are medicines that do not contain tetrahydrocannabinol at all. There is only cannabidiol (CBD). The law No. 7457 does not refer to narcotic drugs, the use of which could have any negative consequences.”
The problem of legislative regulation
Previously, the Cabinet of Ministers, by its resolution dated April 9, 2021, excluded several cannabis-based substances from the prohibited for circulation list in Ukraine. However, that resolution did not cause much excitement among experts, activists and patients who needed medical cannabis for treatment. Since such a decision of the government allowed only a small number of people to receive help, and for wider use, the drugs need to be combined with other substances, which still remained prohibited in Ukraine.
Vyacheslav Zhukov also emphasizes the inadequacy of the Cabinet of Ministers resolution dated May 9, 2021:
“When we talk about medical drugs, which are now in the version of the Cabinet resolution that was adopted under Minister Stepanov, then of course they are not enough, because it`s about only two drugs, and they cost more than 1,5 thousand dollars for the pack.
So they are not available to patients and do not have a wide spectrum for the treatment of certain diseases. In our opinion, the Law N 7457 significantly increases the range of treatment, including post-traumatic stress disorder, which is faced by almost 80 percent of the population in wartime: not only the military, but in general all the population.”
As a result of the resolution dated 05/09/2021, representatives of patient organizations, namely the Social Organization “Ukrainian Association of Medical Cannabis” and the Charitable Organization “100% Life”, say that the mentioned resolution only formally “legalized” medical cannabis, but in fact, the access of Ukrainians to effective treatment with cannabis-based drugs has not eased in any way.
In particular, in a comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency, Dmytro Sherembey, the Head of “100% Life”, noted that the two cannabis-based drugs were excluded from the list of prohibited drugs, but they actually contain a chemical copy of the substance, not cannabis itself, and that explains the extremely high price of the drug:
“Why do we need a chemical copy of a plant if that plant grows on its own and the medicine from it will cost $20 instead of $600 and $2,000 – as in the case with “dronabinol” and “nabiximol” specified in the regulation? It reminds me of how to make artificial gasoline and sell it for $600 a liter, while there is oil and you can make gasoline from it for a dollar”.
The Ministry of Health notes, that the law No. 7457 paid attention to all the comments made regarding the previous draft law.
Medicines for persons injured as a result of hostilities
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Recently, there is growing evidence that medical cannabis treatment is helping military and other combat-affected people to cope with the consequences of their injuries.
Viktor Dosenko, the Head of the general and molecular pathophysiology department of the Institute of Physiology, named by O.O. Bogomolets, and the Academic of the National Academy of Sciences in Ukraine believes that two-thirds of military personnel will have post-traumatic syndrome. He cites statistics in the US, where 17 veterans commit suicide each year, and the much bigger amount attempts to end their lives.
“After the US-led Vietnam War, suicide deaths among veterans were higher than those on the battlefield. “Research data show that cannabis-based medicines can reduce anxiety, excitability, depression, panic attacks, and mood swings,” he says.
Access to medical cannabis for military personnel for the treatment need is a pressing problem in Ukraine, which becomes particularly acute with the onset of a full-scale war. This is emphasized by Ruslan Agibalov, deputy of the Kharkiv City Council, founder of the SO “Union of Disabled Participants of the ATO “Neperemozhny”, who is currently defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces:
“We, as a public organization of disabled ATO veterans, appealed to the government of our state four years ago with a request to resolve this issue. Practically all countries that faced a large number of combatants, their adaptation in social life, the need to use effective modern painkillers for their treatment and rehabilitation – came to the legislative regulation of the use of medical cannabis. These are Israel, Canada, the USA (most states), Georgia, England, and many other countries.”
We will remind: according to official statistics, before the start of a large-scale war in 2022, there were about 420,000 veterans in Ukraine, of which about 130,000 were wounded and disabled of various degrees of severity. Now, judging by what we observe at the front, this number will increase by 3-4 times accordingly!
Four years ago, the Ministry of Veterans was founded,and the main task of it was to protect ATO veterans at the legislative level. Then even the working group was created to study the effectiveness of the use of medical cannabis for veterans, but… Then ministers and governments began to change rapidly – and as a result, nothing has been decided as of now. This question is still open.
In our opinion, the government should not to distance from the solution of this problem: we are talking about the further fate and health of soldiers, thousands of whom, crippled and wounded, would return to peaceful life soon, and the question of effective modern painkillers for their rehabilitation would again become very urgent. Now, when so many patriots have taken up arms to defend Ukraine and are risking their lives and health for the sake of the future of our country, we cannot turn away from the urgent problem that exists and ask on the deputies and the government to do their work behind the scenes — just as we do it here at the front.
Vyacheslav Zhukov insists that the Law No. 7457 should include benefits for the military regarding access to medical cannabis. He provides that the following benefits would be added to the draft law after the first reading:
“Now this (benefits for veterans, ed.) is being discussed. But in my opinion, it would be reflected between the first and second readings in the amendments to the low. Now it is necessary to go to the first reading, to go to the voting hall, and we hope that the people’s deputies will already support the draft law and vote for it under such circumstances. And between the first and second readings, amendments will already be made, including provisions on benefits for veterans.”
Economic component
In addition to the access for patients to the medicines they need, the legalization of medical cannabis can also bring economic benefits to Ukrainians. It is primarily about agricultural workers who would have the opportunity to produce, and in the future even export products.
The Head of the working group of the draft law No. 7457, Vyacheslav Zhukov, notes:
“Today, in the conditions of war, we are not primarily talking about the production. We care about patients and those who need it today. Therefore, it is primarily needed by military personnel and civilians who have such a problem as PTSD. Those who suffer, who are in the war zone. Including children.
If the draft law allows the production of certain drugs in Ukraine, then I believe that today agricultural producers and drug manufacturers are ready to open this industry. I think we are ready”.
Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of the “Voice” faction, holds a similar opinion:
“We are talking about the fact that we have a huge pharmaceutical industry, we can produce, and this will significantly reduce the price of these drugs. If everything is OK in the future, it will even be possible to export, and Ukraine will be able to earn money from it.”
As we can see, the problem of legalizing medical cannabis is long overdue and needs to be solved as soon as possible: patients need medicine, and the circulation of cannabis requires adequate legal regulation. Most likely, the real prospects of legalization will be understood after consideration of draft law No. 7457 by the Verkhovna Rada in the first reading.
Boris Kalita
supported by: International Media Support (IMS) Consortium of the Veteran Organization of the East (CVOE)
Матеріал підготовлено за підтримки IMS (International Media Support) та ГС “Консорціум ветеранських організацій сходу”