International Hemp Day is celebrated on April 20, an annual unofficial holiday during which the world draws attention to hemp, discusses its medical potential, industrial use and recreational properties, and also raises the issue of decriminalization and legalization of this plant in various countries. Today’s date has become symbolic for those who see this plant as more than just a drug. For some, the use of cannabis has become the embodiment of a kind of freedom, while others perceive it as a real threat. For Ukraine, it became a choice between morality, medical needs and the economy, between reality and political rhetoric. And while the world is actively talking about legalization, Ukraine is stuck in a gray zone, where cannabis is both a taboo and a trend. The result can be amazing, absurd and scary at the same time.
Interesting theories about the origin of International Hemp Day
International Hemp Day, or Marijuana Day, has become a cultural phenomenon that unites millions of people around the world. However, not everyone knows that behind the history of this holiday there are not only great social and political processes, but also a real myth, covering different versions of its origin.
One of the most popular theories is that April 20 became a holiday thanks to a group of California teenagers who, in the 1970s, gathered every day at the monument to the French chemist Louis Pasteur at 4:20 in the afternoon to smoke marijuana. This little ritual became a symbolic time marker for cannabis lovers, and soon “4:20” became a well-known code for the use of marijuana. After some time, this number turned into the international symbol of “marijuana day”. Other versions claim that the number 420 took its roots from the number of chemical compounds contained in cannabis, but it is worth noting that scientific data on the exact composition of this plant indicate more than 500 active substances, of which only about 70 are cannabinoid in nature.
Another popular version concerns the American criminal code: the number 420 was allegedly used by the California police to denote marijuana-related crimes. However, research has not found any concrete evidence to support this story. And the least plausible is the literary version, according to which the number 4:20 first appeared in the story of Howard Lovecraft, where it is associated with the time when the main character falls under the narcotic influence of a plant similar to marijuana. However, this theory seems unlikely and scientifically unsupported.
Despite these numerous options, the 4.20 day became more than just a cultural event. This date has become a symbol of the struggle for the legalization of cannabis in various countries. It is on this day that mass actions are held, which draw attention to the problem of criminalization of the use of cannabis and call for a revision of the legal norms regarding its use.
Statistics that make you think
According to anonymous researchconducted in June 2023 by the Institute of Psychiatry of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, two out of three Ukrainians tried drugs at least once in their lives. And almost all of these people (98.9%) used cannabis. And these are not marginals, as society is used to thinking. Those who use cannabis are ordinary people between the ages of 18 and 64. The fact that among young people aged 25 to 34, three out of four already have such an experience is striking. The most popular place of use is at home. Not in nightclubs, parks and forests, as the imagination of the older law-abiding part of society paints. And just at home. In silence, in peace, like an evening ritual. And here a terrible question arises: are we still in control of the situation, or are we simply pretending that it does not exist?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Law “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the State Regulation of Cannabis Plants” № 3528-IX. The law entered into force on February 16 and will be implemented in six months. That is, cannabis is still not legal in Ukraine, but it is not rare either. It is smoked, treated with it, grown on balconies, and sold through Telegram. And it happens out of control, out of responsibility, in the shadows.
If we delve into the nature of hemp, then we will understand that it is not heroin, and it is not alcohol, its dependence is the lowest, and side effects are lighter.
Marijuana, as a narcotic substance, has long been part of the global market, and its effects on the human body have been well studied. The main psychoactive component of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which, upon entering the body, quickly penetrates the blood and brain, activating receptors that usually respond to natural chemical compounds in the body. This leads to a feeling of euphoria, relaxation, changes in the perception of time and color. However, along with the positive effects, marijuana also causes a number of side effects: from slowing of movements and impaired memory to hallucinations and psychosis with excessive use.
Scientific studies reveal two main trends regarding the effects of cannabis on the brain. One study indicates that regular use of marijuana can accelerate the aging process of the brain, as it reduces the volume of gray matter in the brain. Another study among teenagers found that early marijuana use can decrease IQ by an average of 8 points, although this was not the case for those who started using cannabis in adulthood. Such results indicate a serious risk for cognitive functions in young people.
However, cannabis also has many medical benefits. It is used in the treatment of chronic pain, to reduce nausea during chemotherapy, to improve appetite in HIV/AIDS patients, and to treat muscle spasms. The medical use of marijuana has also shown good results in reducing stress and depression, as well as in the fight against post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent studies suggest that medical cannabis may be effective in lowering blood pressure in older adults. And although marijuana is widely used as a medical drug in many countries around the world, such as Switzerland, Israel, the Czech Republic, and the United States (where medical use is allowed in 36 states), the issue of its legalization in other areas, in particular for recreational purposes, remains on the agenda. Currently, cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in only a few countries, including Mexico, Canada and Uruguay.
As we can see, there is also another truth that is not so bright. Cannabis, despite all its “naturalness” and peaceful image, can still cause psychosis. Especially with regular use in adolescence. It can lead to anxiety disorders, distracted attention, and depression. And although this does not happen to everyone, we are not talking about individual cases, but about the future of a whole generation, which grows up in an atmosphere of a somewhat simplified idea of hemp, not as a drug, but just a herb. But the worst thing in this situation is the silence of the state, which does not carry out effective explanatory work and only formally regulates this issue. There is only punishment, which also does not always work. Such a relationship is probably more dangerous than any prohibitions, because when society does not know where the limit is, it creates its own rules. And if an adult Ukrainian is not afraid to try cannabis, a teenager tries to do it again and again. However, it is hemp, as data show, that begins the first experience of substances for 90% of users. Then they switch to amphetamine, ecstasy, and cocaine.
It should be noted that in Ukraine the issue of cannabis legalization has long since turned into an ideological iceberg. A part of society is in favor of legalization due to medical reasons, while the other is categorically against it. People fear anarchy, uncontrolled youth, a repeat of the Dutch experiment, according to which the legalization of drugs caused an influx of tourists who want them, and when they get them, they make trouble and break the law. But, as people say, you shouldn’t wave your fists after a fight, because cannabis has already been legalized. However, it is worth understanding that legalization is not “free smoking for all”, but a clear system of control, which is still working extremely slowly.
Prospects for the development of the medical cannabis market in Ukraine
Analysts of the Pro-Consulting company conducted research, which highlights the state and prospects for the development of the medical cannabis market in Ukraine. Globally, the medical cannabis market is showing steady growth, especially in North America and Europe. This trend is gradually covering Ukraine as well. Experts believe that the country has good prerequisites for entering the international market — in particular, thanks to the opportunities for growing high-quality raw materials and the need for cannabinoid-based medicines.
Although the European market is developing dynamically, it remains moderate in terms of volume. In recent years, the total market volume in Europe has increased by 35% — from 4.18 billion USD to 5.66 billion USD. The segment of recreational cannabis is growing especially fast, although the medical direction remains a priority for many states. The market is expected to grow by an average of 3.2% annually over the next 5 years. Germany is currently the main market driver. At the same time, against the background of Europe’s population, the annual expenditure on cannabis per person remains small – about 11 dl per adult.
At the same time, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy predicts that in 2025, the profitability of growing industrial hemp in Ukraine may reach 180%, and the area of their cultivation will double to 8,000 hectares. At the same time, a number of structural problems currently stand in the way of the rapid expansion of production. In particular, we are talking about the shortage of seed material both on the Ukrainian market and within the European Union. Another limiting factor is the lack of specialized machinery for harvesting and processing the crop. Despite this, Ukraine is preparing for large-scale expansion, both in terms of the area of crops and production capacity.
It should be noted that the latest changes in Ukrainian legislation regarding the circulation of technical hemp, in the opinion of the parliament, have the potential to significantly change the dynamics of the market. The adoption of Law No. 3528-IX was a key step in the direction of deregulation and modernization of the rules for the cultivation of hemp plants. According to the new regulations, the permissible level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in industrial hemp has been increased from 0.08% to 0.2%, and it is planned to bring this threshold to 0.3% by 2027. The government believes that this brings Ukrainian legislation closer to common European standards and the requirements of the international market. Within the European Union, it is the THC level of 0.3% that is considered the standard for technical hemp, which is not subject to control as a narcotic substance. Therefore, the harmonization of the regulatory framework not only simplifies internal licensing and control procedures, but also opens up wider opportunities for the export of raw materials and finished products for Ukrainian manufacturers.
So, given the global growth in demand for environmentally friendly and climate change-resistant materials, hemp growing has all the prerequisites to become one of the most promising agricultural industries in Ukraine in the coming years.
According to the estimates of the Ministry of Health, about 15 million citizens will need psychological help, of which 3 to 4 million will need medical support. Before the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, cannabis-based drugs were necessary for about 2 million Ukrainians. Now, due to the increasing number of military and civilians with PTSD, that number has grown to approximately 6 million potential patients.
The goal of legalizing medical cannabis in Ukraine is to provide access to effective treatment for serious diagnoses. It is not only about the humanitarian aspect, but also the creation of a new segment of the pharmaceutical market, which can become a point of growth for the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors of the country. Meanwhile, foreign companies are closely monitoring the situation. Some of them are already showing interest in entering the Ukrainian market after legalization. Ukrainian manufacturers also demonstrate readiness both in terms of technologies and in terms of the raw material base.
As you can see, in the 21st century hemp, which was banned in many countries not so long ago, is gradually coming out of the shadows. This process changes not only legislation, but also cultural, social and medical paradigms. Ukraine has already taken the main step — hemp has been legalized, the framework has been defined, and the foundation has been laid. However, legalization itself is only the beginning. Then the main thing begins: the creation of a system that should not harm society. Formation of clear control mechanisms, ensuring transparent circulation, prevention of abuse and development of product quality standards should be on the agenda. It is also important to assess the impact of the new policy on the health care system, the labor market, safety, education and medical practice. The lack of a coherent long-term strategy can lead to regulatory failures or distortions in access to the drug. At the same time, attention should be focused not on the issue of permission, but on the introduction of an effective, rational and controlled model of use.
