Cannabis in Ukraine

Cannabis in Ukraine is illegal, but continues to be produced illicitly.

History

Soviet Ukraine was one of the biggest producers of hemp, and before the 1950s, it had over 150.000 hectares dedicated to hemp cultivation. Cannabis wasn't widely used as a recreational drug in Soviet Ukraine, most of the grown hemp would be used for its other natural resources such as oil and fiber.

During the Soviet-Afghan war, Charas (Чарас) were often bought from Afghan children and then smoked by Soviet soldiers, it would usually get smuggled into the Soviet Union by returning soldiers.

Production

Cannabis that is suitable for recreational use is often grown in small plantations, hidden amongst corn, in black soil suitable for cultivation which is found in the central and southern parts of the country.

Though illegal, a lot of Cannabis Ruderalis is grown out in the open in small villages for mostly non-recreational use, because of the low amount of THC in C. Ruderalis.

Enforcement

According to Article 106-2 KUoAP, cultivation (without intent to sell) up to 10 cannabis plants qualifies as an administrative violation, with a fine of from 18 to 100 non-taxable income units (300-1700 hryvnia in 2011) and the seizure of plants.

The limit for possession without intent to sell, for which no criminal liability is given, is up to 5 grams of cannabis. However, there are plans to raise this limit to 10 grams.

Reform

2016 protests

In October 2016, pro-cannabis protestors and anti-cannabis counter-protestors faced off in Mikhaylivska Square in Kiev. Police were forced to restrain some protestors from fighting each other.

2017 Cannabis March of Freedom

A march was planned for October 28, 2017, taking place near the Government of Ukraine.

2019 Petition calls for legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine.

A petition calling for the legalization of the use of cannabis for medicinal reasons in Ukraine on the Verkhovna Rada website on Jan. 30 has already drawn 6,600 signatures and the support of Acting Health Minister Ulana Suprun.

The head of the Ukrainian Association of Medical Cannabis, the lawyer Gennadii Shabas created the petition with the backing of 16 public organizations. The petition said that medical cannabis could greatly help over two million Ukrainians suffering from a wide range of ailments, including epilepsy, cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder.