CBD legalization in Ukraine — how did it begin?
Cannabidiol (CBD) — a natural substance that is part of the cannabis plant, which remained in the legal shadow for a long time. Just a several years ago, the use of CBD (production, sale, etc.) was prohibited, and not only in Ukraine, but in most countries of Europe and the USA.
The prohibition of CBD, of course, was related to its "origin" — the constituents of cannabis were mistakenly considered harmful, as well as the whole plant. But, unlike other cannabinoids (primarily THC), CBD does not have "narcotic" effects. On the contrary, CBD is beneficial and quite safe.
Today, CBD is an ingredient of two medical drugs, as well as hundreds of different types of beauty and health products [1].
Legalization of CBD in the world
In 2018, the US government passed a law that allowed farmers to grow hemp — i dustrial cannabis that contains <0.3% psychoactive THC [2]. The low THC content makes the plants completely useless for recreational purposes. Instead, industrial hemp has become the main source of cannabidiol.
Legalization of CBD in Ukraine
Legalization of cannabidiol in Ukraine began in the spring of 2021. The country's government made changes "to the list of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors" [3]. This list contains names of the chemicals and plants that are prohibited on the territory of Ukraine. The document states that there are no state control measures for the substance isolated cannabidiol (CBD isolate) [4]. CBD isolate is a pure cannabidiol powder that does not contain any other cannabis constituents.
Cannabis drugs legal in Ukraine and the world
Currently, three types of cannabis-based medicines are registered in the US and the EU.
- Synthetic THC — dronabinol, produced under the trade names Marinol, Syndros, Reduvo, and Adversa.
- Nabiximols (trade name Sativex), the drug contains a 1:1 mixture of THC and CBD. Cannabinoids in the composition of Sativex are of plant origin (that is, obtained from cannabis, not synthetically).
- Epidiolex — 10-% solution of CBD isolate.
Unfortunately, Ukraine is not at the forefront of the movement for medical cannabis legalization. Medicines that are allowed in Ukraine were initially approved in the USA. And for that reason, the Ukrainian government had to bring the legislation into line so that people who bought these drugs abroad could legally use them in Ukraine. However, it is virtually impossible for citizens inside the country to obtain cannabis-based medicine.
We hope that the legalization of CBD in Ukraine is only the first step and in the future patients who need it will have access to the entire range of medicinal properties of the cannabis plant.
References:
1. https://www.forbes.com/healt...
2. https://www.brookings.edu/arti...