Ukrainian military to potentially utilize controlled substances during combat post medical marijuana legalization
On February 21, 2024, the memorandum of partnership and cooperation was signed by Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Natalia Kalmykova and the head of the State Service for Medicinal Products and Drug Controls, Roman Isajenko.
9:33 AM EST, February 24, 2024
What does this entail? Representatives from the Ministry of Defense are now part of a working group tasked with examining the provision of permits to military units. These permits would allow the use of intoxicating and psychotropic substances, along with precursors, to provide medical aid, as outlined on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's official site.
Let's clarify: precursors are natural or synthetic substances that can be processed into drugs.
Last week, the first permit for handling drugs and precursors during combat conditions was issued. This license permits regular procurement of medications vital for treating wounded soldiers during the prehospital phase - Natalia Kalmykova
In the Deputy Minister of Defense's viewpoint, increased cooperation with the State Medical Service will facilitate a more efficient initiation of this new system and help regulate drug trafficking.
The signing of the memorandum occurred just days after President Volodymyr Zelensky approved the law legalizing medical marijuana on February 13.
As stated on the Ukrainian government's website, the newly-approved legislation aims to provide greater access to necessary treatment for patients suffering from cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from war.
However, the recreational use of marijuana will continue to be criminalized and monitored by the police in Ukraine. Cultivation is permitted only to those with legitimate documentation. Moreover, medications derived from medical marijuana can only be sold with an electronic prescription.
