Ukraine’s goverenment introduces rules for transporting medical cannabis

Source: Ukraine’s health ministry

In a bid to regulate its emerging medical cannabis industry, the Ukrainian government has set guidelines for transporting it within the country.  Revealed by the Ministry of Health, the regulations will focus on the safe and secure transfer of cannabis-based products, ensuring a structured process that keeps everything in check.

Under these new rules, businesses of all types holding  the proper license for handling narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursors are now officially allowed to transport medical cannabis. It will include transporting raw cannabis plants for medical purposes, cannabis-based substances, and medications derived from these plants.

Companies can either handle transportation themselves or hire external licensed carriers. However, a key requirement is the responsibility for the safety and confidentiality of the cargo. Businesses must ensure the involvement of state security services to guard each shipment while security firms must follow strict protocols.

For larger shipments—those exceeding 10 liters or kilograms of active cannabis material—vehicles must be equipped with satellite tracking systems. Smaller shipments, under 10 liters or kilograms, can be transported within city or regional boundaries without requiring the security services, though the company still bears full responsibility for safeguarding the goods.

Medical cannabis can only be moved via road or air but sending it through mail or by train is a strict no-go.

In addition, every shipment must be accompanied by an authorized representative from the company. The receipt of the cargo is confirmed through a waybill, which includes the vehicle’s registration number and is signed by the authorized person. This person is also tasked with keeping detailed records of each shipment, documenting the total weight, number of packages, final destination, and other critical information, either in physical or digital form.