Ihor Kuzin on the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis

Sooner or later Ukraine will consider the issue of allowing recreational cannabis.

This was stated by the chief sanitary doctor of Ukraine, Ihor Kuzin, in an interview with the “We are Ukraine” TV channel.

Ihor Kuzin claims that many more crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol than under the influence of marijuana. In addition, according to the chief sanitary doctor, in those US states where cannabis is legalized, no increase in crime or overdoses has been recorded.

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“Sooner or later, we will smooth out the issue of cannabis legalization. It depends on people’s awareness and the effectiveness of the control bodies to prevent a large number of drug-containing products from entering the market.” – says Ihor Kuzin.

The chief sanitary doctor also told what the system of control over the circulation of medical cannabis should be, in case of the final adoption of the relevant law.

“We are aware that medicinal cannabis products are a narcotic drug. And the same rules will apply to them as for other narcotic drugs.” – says the Deputy Minister of Health.

Ihor Kuzin emphasized that the institution that dispenses such drugs must obtain an additional license from the Ministry of Health, the condition for issuing which is an inspection by the internal affairs authorities.

Also, an electronic prescription must be issued for medical cannabis preparations, which allows you to track which doctor, under which conditions and which doses prescribed.

Ihor Kuzin named three common myths about medical cannabis and the adoption of the draft law on its legalization.

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The first myth is that the draft law passed in the first reading allows the circulation of recreational cannabis.

“This is not true. This law regulates the use of cannabis in medicine and the separation from the agricultural sector. There is no question of its self-use for recreational purposes.” – says Cousin.

The second myth is that the law will lead to the drugging of the population, in particular the patients to whom it may be prescribed.

However, according to Kuzin, psychoactive substances have been used in medicine for several centuries. In particular, during operations, in the treatment of mental illnesses and the provision of special psychological assistance, etc.

The third myth is that in European countries the issue of medical cannabis is not regulated at the legislative level.

“Actually, this is a common European practice, and Ukraine does not apply any legislative innovations in this case,” says Ihor Kuzin.

We will remind you that on July 13, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the first reading the draft law on the legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine.

Read also: In the American state of Minnesota, it was allowed to grow and store marijuana