Ukraine legalizes cannabis to help wounded cope with trauma

As the number of injured in Ukraine increases, so does the demand for cannabis treatment. Photo: AFP

Ukrainian MPs voted to legalize marijuana to help war veterans cope with physical and mental trauma.

A bill allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes passed its first reading on Thursday, and 268 of 344 lawmakers supported the law.

Now the law must pass a second reading in parliament before it is sent to Volodymyr Zelensky for signing.

The overwhelming support for the medical use of cannabis marks a turnaround in attitudes towards the drug following the Russian invasion. Ukraine.

In 2021, the same bill was easily rejected. Cannabis is now seen as an effective alternative to other prescription drugs for the treatment of the thousands of soldiers and civilians physically and mentally affected by the war.

“Veterans and the wounded use marijuana, and the legislature wants its use to be legalized,” said Tymofiy Mylovanov, head of the Kiev School of Economics and an adviser to Mr. Zelensky.

Ukraine does not publish its data on victims, but they are thought to be outnumbered by the 200,000 Russian soldiers who are estimated to have been killed or wounded. U.S. intelligence documents leaked in April show between 124,500 and 131,000 casualties in Ukraine by February, with up to 17,500 deaths in the fighting.

Servicemen of Ukraine near Bakhmut. The US estimates that the country lost more than 120,000 people during the war. Photo: ANATOLY STEPANOV/AFP

Proponents of legalizing marijuana for medical use say it can relieve pain and relieve post-traumatic stress disorder and is often safer. than prescription opioids.

According to a World Health Organization report from February, a quarter of Ukraine's population and 60% of its soldiers may be suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress due to the war. It also says mental health services in the country have been sidelined to prioritize expanding the capacity of trauma units.

Mr. Ukrainians also expressed their support. for the petition.

On her Facebook page, TV presenter Yanina Sokolova posted a photo of a Ukrainian soldier lying in a hospital bed after being wounded by a Russian mine in June. His left leg was partially torn off by the explosion, and he had to amputate the rest of it.

“He is in pain 24/7. Terrible pain,” Ms. Sokolova said. “I can name dozens of groups of patients with various painful symptoms. They all need medical cannabis now.”

Marijuana for medical use is steadily being legalized around the world, and in 2018 the UK did so by prescription.