Medical cannabis could become one of the key components of post-traumatic stress disorder therapy for Ukrainian military personnel and civilians who have survived the war. This was discussed on 14 November by participants at a round table in the Verkhovna Rada, where international experience in treating PTSD with cannabis-based drugs was presented.
In countries that have already integrated medical cannabis into their veteran support systems, improvements in sleep, reduced anxiety, and a decrease in chronic pain and PTSD symptoms have been reported. Canadian veteran Gordon Gerly emphasised that it was cannabis that helped him return to normal life after the battles he had experienced. He said that traditional drugs had no effect, and that incorrect treatment only worsened his condition. That is why, according to him, it is important for Ukraine to provide veterans with access to modern therapy based on evidence-based approaches.
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Ukrainian officials agree that the country needs broader opportunities for treating PTSD, as the number of people suffering from the psychological consequences of war is growing every day. Parliament has passed a law regulating the circulation of medical cannabis, and work is now underway to expand the list of conditions for which its use is permitted. The inclusion of PTSD in this list could be a critical decision for many military personnel, volunteers and civilians.
MP Olga Stefanishyna stressed that PTSD does not only affect military personnel: almost all Ukrainian families are faced with explosions, night-time alarms and constant stress. In her opinion, society must recognise the scale of the problem and ensure that people have access to effective help.
The head of the relevant parliamentary committee, Mykhailo Radutskyi, expressed his hope that medical cannabis will become a real tool for supporting people with PTSD. He stressed that the adopted law must be fully implemented so that patients receive the treatment that has long been used around the world.
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