Ukraine Reveals List of Diseases that Qualify for Medical Cannabis Treatment

In the face of the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine has taken a significant step towards modernizing its healthcare system. Earlier this year, the Ukrainian government, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, legalized medical cannabis. This decision is primarily aimed at supporting war veterans and patients with serious illnesses for whom traditional methods of treatment have proven insufficient.

The legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine was approved earlier this year by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The law was signed in response to growing social and medical needs, including those resulting from the ongoing armed conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian government saw the need to introduce modern methods of treatment to provide adequate support for citizens affected by the war.

Official list of diseases qualifying for therapy in Ukraine

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has published an official list of diseases that qualify patients for medical cannabis treatment. The list was developed in cooperation with medical experts and includes about twenty diseases. The ministry noted that as scientific and medical research progresses, the list may be expanded to include additional diseases.

Diseases that qualify for medical cannabis therapy in Ukraine include:

Multiple Sclerosis : a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, leading to movement and sensory disorders.

Neuropathy : damage to peripheral nerves causing pain, numbness, and muscle weakness.

Shingles : A viral infection that causes painful rashes and blisters on the skin.

Cerebral palsy : a group of neurological disorders that affect motor coordination and body posture.

Spinal cord damage : leading to paralysis and other serious neurological disorders.

Complications from chemotherapy : such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and general weakness of the body.

Parkinson’s disease : a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, coordination and cognition.

Childhood epilepsy : a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures.

Weight loss associated with eating disorders : a serious disorder that affects a person’s weight and overall health.

Despite expectations from many groups, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not been included on the list of conditions eligible for medical marijuana treatment. This decision is controversial, especially in the context of the ongoing war and the number of veterans suffering from this condition. Human rights activists and some legislators have expressed disappointment, calling for reconsideration.

Regulation and control of the use of medical cannabis in Ukraine

The Ukrainian government has made it clear that the legalization of medical cannabis does not mean liberalization of its recreational use, which remains strictly prohibited. All aspects of the cultivation, production, distribution and use of hemp-based products will be strictly controlled by the relevant state authorities. The goal is to ensure the safe and responsible use of medical marijuana by patients who really need it.

According to the Ministry of Health guidelines, medical cannabis therapy should be discontinued if the expected therapeutic effect is not achieved within 4 to 12 weeks. In addition, treatment should be discontinued in the event of serious side effects, including those related to the patient’s mental state. This approach aims to minimize the risk to patients and ensure the effectiveness of the therapy.

Implementing a medical cannabis program requires the cooperation of many institutions in Ukraine:

Ministry of Agricultural Policy: responsible for supervising the cultivation and processing of hemp, from planting to the production of finished preparations.

National Police: enforces laws regarding the distribution and use of medical cannabis, preventing illegal trade.

National Medicines Agency : controls the quality and safety of cannabis-based products and also oversees the process of prescribing them by doctors.

Impact of legalization on society and the healthcare system

Medical cannabis can provide relief for patients with conditions for which traditional treatments are ineffective or cause unacceptable side effects. Studies show its effectiveness in relieving chronic pain, muscle spasticity, and other symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

Legalization of medical cannabis is especially important for war veterans, who often struggle with the physical and mental consequences of conflict. Although PTSD is not included in the current list of qualifying conditions, there is hope that in the future, this therapy will be available to these patients as well.

President Zelensky emphasized the need to implement the most effective medical solutions used in the world. In one of his speeches, he noted: “All the best practices in the world, all the most effective policies, all solutions, even difficult or unusual, must be applied in Ukraine so that Ukrainians, all our citizens, do not have to endure the pain, stress and trauma of war.”

Ukraine’s disclosure of the list of diseases that qualify for medical cannabis treatment is an important step towards modernizing the healthcare system and adapting it to the needs of citizens in a difficult time of armed conflict. This decision can bring real benefits to patients suffering from serious diseases for which previous methods of treatment were insufficient.

The introduction of strict regulations and the involvement of various state bodies are to ensure the safe and effective use of medical cannabis. The future will show how legalization will affect Ukrainian society and whether further steps will be taken to expand the availability of this form of therapy.

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First published in Fakty Konopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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