KIEV, October 16 - RIA Novosti. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy intends to find out the opinion of Ukrainians regarding the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes in order to put an end to this issue, which has been discussed for more than one year, the press service of the head of state's office said on Friday.
Zelensky initiated an all-Ukrainian poll on the country's important topics on the day of local elections on October 25. Unlike a referendum, the results of the survey will not have legal force and are of an advisory nature.
Zelensky's office noted that there are more and more political disputes, television broadcasts and publications on the use of cannabis for medical purposes every year. There were also attempts to register the relevant bills in the Verkhovna Rada, which could spread the practice of using medical preparations based on cannabis in our country. The arguments of the supporters of this idea are well known: cannabis without narcotic effect can be used as an effective and mild pain reliever. The arguments of the opponents of this idea are also known: they note that narcotic substances can also be distributed under the guise of medical preparations, the president's office noted.
"We consider it unfair to leave the solution of this issue only to politicians. Without a clearly expressed opinion of the people, the corresponding discussion can continue for many more years, without reaching the level of decision-making. and depressive conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder, including after the front, "- said in the message.
The President of Ukraine said on Wednesday that the first of five questions will concern the introduction of life sentences for those guilty of corruption on an especially large scale. On Thursday, the head of state named the second of five questions - citizens will be asked whether they support the creation of a free economic zone in Donbass. On Friday, Zelensky said that citizens will also be asked whether they support the reduction of the number of deputies in the Verkhovna Rada to 300 and the legalization of medical cannabis, and whether they consider it necessary to raise the issue of using the security guarantees defined by the Budapest Memorandum at the international level.