Members of Ukraine's Parliament from Yulia Tymoshenko's "Batkivshchyna" faction have blocked the signing of a law regulating the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Six faction members submitted a resolution to annul the Parliament's decision on the law regulating the circulation of cannabis plants for medical, industrial, scientific, and technical purposes.
According to the Parliament's rules, this "blocking" resolution means the Speaker cannot send the law for the President's signature until the Parliament rejects Batkivshchyna's proposal to cancel the decision on medical cannabis. The Parliament is set to convene in January 2024, and unlocking the signing process may occur in mid-January. Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a Ukrainian MP, noted that even if the law is signed, it will only take effect in July 2024.
Tymoshenko criticized the decision on Facebook, stating it's another move by the ruling majority "against the future of Ukraine." Despite the setback, she believes future parliamentary sessions will overturn not only drug legalization but also laws against national interests and Ukraine's fundamental principles.
The legalization of medical cannabis was approved by 248 MPs on December 21, 2023.
Source: unian.ua