Cannabis in Ukraine

History of Cannabis in Ukraine

For decades, cannabis has been classified in Ukraine as a particularly dangerous substance, with a general ban on its cultivation and use, including for medical purposes. The cultivation of industrial hemp was also highly restricted, permitted only within the framework of annual quotas set by the government and subject to licensing.

The reform is driven by several factors, including the war. A bill on medical cannabis was introduced in Parliament in June 2021, but its consideration was delayed by the start of the Russian invasion. It was finally put back on the agenda, with the support of the Ministry of Health and volunteers, in light of the physical and psychological suffering caused by the conflict, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. Parliament passed the bill on first reading on July 13, 2023 (268 votes), then adopted it on second reading on December 21, 2023. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed it into law on February 13, 2024, and the law took effect on August 16, 2024.

Implementation is gradual. The first cannabis-based medications are added to the national drug registry in January 2025, and the first import permit for a medical cannabis substance is issued in June 2025. On June 11, 2026, the first prescriptions are issued to patients, including veterans and a patient with multiple sclerosis, and the Department of Health declares the national program officially operational.

Cannabis Legislation in Ukraine

Recreational cannabis: prohibited

Recreational use of cannabis remains prohibited in Ukraine. The cultivation, production, purchase, possession, transportation, and sale of cannabis for recreational purposes are subject to administrative or criminal liability, depending on the scale and nature of the activity.

Medical Cannabis: Licenses, Quotas, and Traceability

The Cannabis Control Act permits the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, compounding in pharmacies, wholesale and retail sale, importation, and exportation of medical cannabis, its processed products, and cannabis-derived substances, exclusively for medical, research and development, and educational purposes. All such activities are subject to bachelor's degree. Cultivation, storage, manufacturing, compounding in pharmacies, importation, and exportation are also subject to quotas allocated annually by the government. Through 2028, the import quota for cannabis plants and substances is set at zero, with a few exceptions: research and development, raw materials for pharmaceutical manufacturing, authorized finished drugs, and seeds and planting material for cultivation. According to the government, approximately 36 public entities and 30 private entities hold cannabis-related licenses, spread across 180 sites.

To be used in medical practice, products must be registered finished drugs or preparations made by licensed pharmacies using authorized active ingredients and excipients. Patients can obtain these drugs only through electronic prescription, and are permitted to possess and travel with them, within the prescribed limits. The initial conditions mentioned in the text include, in particular, cancer and war-related post-traumatic stress disorder, and the authorities have indicated their intention to expand the list of eligible conditions.

The cultivation of medical cannabis is strictly regulated: plants must be grown from certified seeds, have a THC content of 0.3 % or higher, be grown exclusively in a closed-system environment, and each plant must be labeled and tracked electronically, constant video surveillance, site protection by the national police, and laboratory analysis of THC content prior to harvest. Transportation must be carried out by a public security provider, and each plant, batch, and package bears an electronic identifier. According to industry stakeholders, domestic production could begin before 2028.

CBD and Industrial Hemp

Industrial hemp is defined as cannabis grown from certified seeds of agricultural varieties, with a THC content of 0.3 % or less in the dried straw (limit lowered to 0.2 % until February 16, 2027), used exclusively for industrial purposes. Since August 2024, its cultivation, processing, and use no longer require authorization or quotas, only notification to the authorities. However, a laboratory test of the THC content is mandatory before harvest, and any exceedance results in the complete destruction of the crop. Hemp-derived products are not considered narcotics if they comply with these limits, which opens up opportunities in the food, wellness, textile, and construction materials industries.

CBD isolate is excluded from the list of controlled substances. Until now, the lack of a clear regulatory framework made it risky to market CBD-based products (oils, cosmetics, veterinary products), and the new hemp regulations are intended to facilitate the marketing of non-medical products. As part of the effort to align with European standards, CBD-containing foods and supplements may also need to be registered as novel foods.

News and Outlook

Ukraine has made medical cannabis a war-related issue, with a program that is just getting started and has had a slow launch. Key issues to watch include the expansion of the list of eligible medical conditions, the development of domestic production, the gradual lifting of the import quota by 2028, and the growth of industrial hemp. Follow our News about cannabis in Ukraine See below for updates to the law.