The Ukrainian military has appealed to the parliament in Kyiv to legalize the use of medical cannabis to ease the suffering of those wounded in the war with Russia and hope that the corresponding bill, which is also supported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, will be voted on. soon, after several unsuccessful attempts, the EFE agency reported on Thursday, quoted by Agerpres.

“Unfortunately, after the Russian invasion, about four million more people will need medical care based on medical cannabis, the use of which is currently prohibited in Ukraine, in addition to two million suffering from cancer and other serious diseases,” they warned. Inna Ivanenko, executive director of BF “Patients of Ukraine” during a press conference.

Servicemen of the Ukrainian army also took part in the same press conference, who, in turn, explained why legalization of medical cannabis is needed in Ukraine.

“It’s absurd that I still don’t have access to medical cannabis, which is non-narcotic and can help me reduce the incapacitating pain,” says Oleksandr Yabchanka, a Ukrainian military medic who is in constant pain from a relatively minor wound he received recently. year one month.

“But my pain is nothing compared to those who had their limbs amputated or were seriously injured,” – notes the Ukrainian military doctor.

Such suffering is described in a message shared on Facebook by Ukrainian military Mykhailo Bakaliuk, who lost his leg after being blown up by an anti-personnel mine. “I experience terrible physical pain and hallucinations. The use of painkillers does not eliminate them, but only reduces them for a short time,” the wounded soldier admits.

In addition to physical pain, legal access to cannabis may also help to better cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, a common condition not only among soldiers wounded on the front, but also among those fleeing it but scarred by the horrors of war. , as well as families of dead and wounded soldiers.

“Psychologists who are supposed to support fighters suffering from (post-traumatic) stress are failing. Without such alternatives as medicinal cannabis, many people turn to an easier, but more harmful method – alcohol,” warns Ihor Kolodylo, a psychologist and a serviceman of the Ukrainian army.

On June 28, in a speech to the Kyiv parliament, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for the legalization of medical cannabis, including “proper scientific research and controlled production in Ukraine,” adding that it would help Ukrainians treat their “pain, stress and trauma.” war”.

___

• Follow the latest events of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HotNews.ro