Ukraine Will Need to Import Medical Cannabis for Several Years
Experts believe that after the legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine, local companies will have to import medicinal cannabis for several years to meet demand.
Medical Cannabis Could Be Legalized This Year
On January 16, the Verkhovna Rada unblocked a legislative act adopted by parliamentarians in December of last year, which provides for lifting the ban on medical cannabis. However, the decree has not yet been sent to President Volodymyr Zelensky for signature, as lawmakers still need to develop regulations for the circulation of cannabinoid-based medicines.
Currently, the draft law envisions the sale of medical cannabis in pharmacies. However, officials have not yet compiled a list of diseases for which cannabis can be used as treatment.
Additionally, specialists have not prepared a list of requirements for companies wishing to obtain licenses to operate in the cannabis industry. Once these issues are resolved, the document should be sent to President Zelensky, who has publicly supported the legalization of medical cannabis. The law will take effect six months after the president approves the drug policy reform. Therefore, medical cannabis could be legalized as early as this year.
European Regulatory Model Proposed
Medical cannabis advisor Hanna Hlushchenko suggested that the Ukrainian government adopt the European model for regulating medicinal cannabis and divide all cannabinoid-based medicines into two categories:
- Medical cannabis (MJ)
- Extracts and oils
Hlushchenko shared her opinion with journalists: “Most likely, Ukraine will have the same requirements for medical cannabis producers as other European countries. In this case, Ukraine will create a cannabis industry similar to the pharmaceutical sector. To manufacture and sell cannabinoid-based medicines, companies will be required to follow good manufacturing practices and other standards applied to pharmaceutical companies.”
Cannabis Cultivation Unlikely Before 2026
It is still unknown how many licenses for cultivating medical cannabis the Ukrainian authorities will issue. Hlushchenko believes that the process of obtaining cultivation permits will be lengthy, and the first cannabis farms will open, at best, at the end of 2026. Their operations will most likely be regulated by the Ministry of Health and the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control.
If Hlushchenko’s forecast is correct, Ukrainian companies will initially be forced to import medical cannabis. According to the law, cannabis will be added to the list of active pharmaceutical ingredients allowed for import by organizations registered with the State Expert Center. Accordingly, only authorized companies will be able to import cannabis.
Hlushchenko believes that pharmacies should be allowed to produce medicines, such as cannabinoid oils, from imported cannabis. According to her, about 200 Ukrainian pharmacies have received government approval to manufacture medications. Hlushchenko noted that cannabis imports will begin in 2025, meaning that even if cannabis is legalized this year, cannabinoid-based medicines will not be immediately available for sale.