First Ukrainian cannabis-based drug to be available in January 2025

Source: Interfax Ukraina

Are cannabis-based drugs going to be soon available in Ukrainian drug stores? Ukrainian MP Olha Stefanyshyna revealed on Wednesday that the first marijuana-based medication can be legally prescribed  in Ukraine as early as January 2025.

Stefanyshyna, who sits on the parliamentary medical care committee, said:

“From what I understand, the first registration of a medical cannabis drug is already in progress. We are hopeful that it will be completed in December and that prescriptions for real medical cannabis-based drugs will start in January.”

She added tbat Ukraine now has the necessary regulatory framework in place for medical cannabis products, but they are not yet available on the market.

“Currently, everything is in place for patients to receive medical cannabis-based drugs, except for the cannabis itself. Beyond the regulatory system, someone needs to register these drugs in Ukraine,” Stefanyshyna explained.

Getting off the ground an electronic tracking system monitoring cannabis “from seed to pills ‘ has been the hardest part of the cannabis-based drug regulation policy, but the system is now fully operational, added Stefanyshyna.

After the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented wave of private support for the army. Citizens, big businesses, charitable foundations, and international philanthropists began financing the country’s defense alongside state assistance provided by international partners. Estimates of total private contributions range from tens to hundreds of billions of hryvnias. However, determining the exact amount remains difficult. In many cases, companies combine military aid, humanitarian programs, tax payments, social spending, and employee support in their reporting.

Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.

On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.

Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.

Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.