Ukrainian lawmakers back legalisation of medical cannabis

FILE PHOTO: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addresses Ukrainian lawmakers during a parliament session, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 6, 2023. REUTERS/Andrii Nesterenko/File Photo

(Reuters) - Ukrainian lawmakers voted to legalise the medical use of cannabis on Thursday after activists and supporters called for the step in order to treat millions of people including soldiers wounded in the war with Russia.

The bill was backed by 248 lawmakers, senior lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak wrote on Telegram messenger. Selling or supplying cannabis for recreational use would remain a criminal offence.