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27 Aug. 2024

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Legalisation of medical cannabis in Ukraine: can I drive after taking it?

Transport
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Ukraine
Legalisation of medical cannabis in Ukraine: can I drive after taking it?

Ukraine has recently legalised the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Find out more about whether you can drive after taking medical cannabis and what the consequences are for drivers who break the rules

Apply for a car insurance policy at Visit Ukraine - guaranteed protection on the road in just 5 minutes!
Apply for a car insurance policy at Visit Ukraine - guaranteed protection on the road in just 5 minutes!
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After lengthy discussions and consideration of various draft laws, Ukraine has made a significant step in the medical field by legalising medical cannabis. This decision opens up new opportunities to treat many diseases and improve the quality of life for patients. The article below explains the rules of driving for drivers who take cannabis for medical purposes.


Read more about the legalisation of medical cannabis and who will have access to the medicine in Ukraine here.


Legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes: can I drive?


In particular, the new law on the legalisation of medical marijuana provides for:


● the use of cannabinoids in medicine, research and industry;
● production of cannabis-based medicines for the treatment of various diseases;
● regulating the market and establishing clear rules for the production, distribution and use of medical cannabis;
● ensuring controlled access to cannabis-based medicines for those who need them.


However, can drivers drive after taking medical cannabis?


No, driving after using medical marijuana is strictly prohibited in Ukraine. Regardless of the fact that cannabis is prescribed by a doctor for medical treatment, it affects the driver's coordination, reaction and attention, which poses a significant risk to you and other road users:


● cannabinoids affect the central nervous system, which can lead to impaired concentration, slower reactions and distorted perception of reality;
● even small amounts of medical marijuana can affect coordination, making it difficult to drive;
● medical cannabis can cause a feeling of disorientation and impaired distance perception, which is very dangerous when driving;
● using medical marijuana before driving significantly increases the risk of getting into a road traffic accident.


Liability for driving after consuming medical cannabis is established by Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offences of Ukraine ‘Driving vehicles or vessels by persons under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants or under the influence of drugs that reduce their attention and reaction time’.


According to the law, Ukrainian drivers who violate the rules and use medical cannabis while driving face a fine of UAH 17,000 or even a one-year driving ban.




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A reminder for Ukrainian drivers!


An insurance policy is required for every vehicle in the country.

Motor Third Party Liability Insurance (MTPL) is a compulsory vehicle insurance policy in Ukraine that guarantees compensation for damages in the event of an accident. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can buy a CTP insurance policy from a licensed insurer for reliable protection on Ukrainian roads. Packages with a deductible of UAH 3200, UAH 1600 and UAH 0 are available.


Just a reminder. The procedure for testing drivers for alcohol and illegal substances has recently undergone changes. Read here to find out how Ukraine will conduct tests for alcohol and drug use by drivers in 2024.


Photo: Freepik 


Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.




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Frequantly

asked questions

Can the police test a driver for alcohol and drugs at the place of the stop?

Police officers can stop and test a driver with signs of intoxication for alcohol or drugs at any time of the day using certified blood alcohol content devices and rapid drug tests. For transparency and confirmation of the legality of the tests, the presence of two witnesses or video recording is mandatory.

What is the penalty for speeding on Ukrainian roads?

How do I pay a fine for a traffic violation?

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