#Ukraine Medical #Marijuana Bill Is ‘Unblocked’ From Advancing To President’s Desk After Opponents’ Repeal Attempt Fails
January 17, 2024 By Kyle Jaeger
..."Lawmakers approved the medical #cannabis #legislation last month, but the opposition Batkivshchyna party used a procedural tactic to block it by forcing consideration of a resolution to repeal the measure. That resolution failed this week, earning just 25 of the required 226 votes.
On Wednesday the bill was formally sent to the desk of President Volodymyr #Zelensky, who supports the reform.
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Opponents previously tried to derail the marijuana bill by filing hundreds of what critics called “spam” amendments, but that attempt similarly failed, with the measure ultimately passing with 248 votes.
The bill that’s heading to the president would legalize medical cannabis for patients with severe illnesses and post-traumatic stress disorder (#PTSD) resulting from the nation’s ongoing conflict with #Russia, which launched an invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.
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The bill moves marijuana from strictly prohibited under List I to available for medical use with a prescription under List II of the country’s drug code.
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The law will become effective six months after Zelensky signs the legislation.
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The policy change would put Ukraine is stark contrast to its long-time aggressor Russia, which has taken a particularly strong stance against reforming cannabis policy at the international level through the United Nations. The country has condemned Canada for legalizing marijuana nationwide."...
