Ministry of Health of Ukraine, posted 05 January 2026 10:38
The Government has adopted a resolution approving quotas for 2026 for the production, manufacture, storage, import, and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as for the cultivation of plants containing such substances. The decision was made in accordance with Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors,” which establishes the annual determination of maximum quantities of controlled substances as a state measure to control their legal circulation.
The approved quotas are intended to meet the needs of medicine, pharmaceutical production, science, and education, prevent the leakage of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into illegal circulation, and fulfill Ukraine’s international obligations under the 1961, 1971, and 1988 UN Conventions. The approval of quotas is due not only to regulatory requirements, but also to the martial law and the increase in the number of patients who need drugs with controlled substances, in particular, soldiers with severe injuries.
For the first time, quotas have been set for substances based on medical cannabis. This refers to imports for use in scientific and scientific-technical activities, imports for the production (manufacture) of medicines and finished medicines included in the State Drug Register.
When calculating quotas, applications from licensed businesses, their production capabilities, and risks related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were taken into account. Six medical cannabis-based substances are currently registered in Ukraine, with another 18 in the process of registration. The traceability of medical cannabis circulation is ensured through a unified accounting, registration, and control system that tracks all stages—from cultivation and production to sale to patients for medical reasons.
Quotas for methadone are set taking into account the needs of the substitution maintenance therapy program. As of November 2025, some 29,112 patients were receiving treatment.
Codeine quotas are determined based on domestic needs, exports, and potential growth in demand. Combined medicinal products containing small amounts of codeine and not subject to quotas are not included in the tables.
As posted by Falk Altenhoefer of Cannabis Start ups.com on Linked In who writes
On January 5, 2026, Ukraine officially approved medical cannabis quotas for the first time.
A milestone that would have sounded aspirational not long ago is now reality.
Quotas now cover:
– imports
– scientific research
– pharmaceutical production
Six cannabis-based substances are already registered, 18 more are in the approval process, and distribution will be monitored through a digital control system aligned with UN conventions and legal clarity.
After years of war, the medical needs of Ukraine have fundamentally changed.
Severely injured soldiers and civilians require effective, modern pain therapies and Ukraine is responding pragmatically, responsibly, and human-centered.
For me, this moment carries special meaning.
In 2019, I spoke publicly for the first time at an International Medical Cannabis Conference, advocating for access, regulation, and patient-centered policy at a time when many still questioned whether this path was realistic at all.
Google AI says
The approval marks a critical implementation phase of the medical cannabis reform signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2024. Key details of the new 2026 quotas include:
- Scope of Quotas: The newly determined quotas apply to the import of substances for scientific research, pharmaceutical production of medicines, and finished medical products listed in the State Register of Medicines of Ukraine.
- Registered Substances: Currently, six cannabis-based substances are officially registered in Ukraine, with an additional 18 substances in the approval process as of early 2026.
- Regulatory Oversight: All circulation is tracked via a digital control system that monitors the entire supply chain—from cultivation and production to final distribution to patients.
- Wartime Context: The Ministry of Health emphasized that these quotas are essential to meet the rising medical needs of severely injured soldiers and civilians requiring modern pain therapies.
- Future Cultivation: While current efforts focus on imports and research, full licensing decrees for domestic indoor cultivation and localized manufacturing are expected to evolve further throughout 2026.
UNN reports
The Cabinet of Ministers approved quotas for narcotic and psychotropic substances for 2026
Kyiv • UNN
For the first time, quotas for medical cannabis-based substances have been determined, and the needs of the opioid substitution therapy program and codeine export have been taken into account.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution on the approval of quotas for the production, circulation, import and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for 2026. The decision was adopted in accordance with current legislation and Ukraine’s international obligations. This was reported by UNN with reference to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
Details
The approved quotas are aimed at meeting the needs of medicine, pharmaceutical production, science and education, preventing the leakage of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into illicit trafficking, and fulfilling Ukraine’s international obligations in accordance with the UN Conventions of 1961, 1971, and 1988. The approval of quotas is due not only to regulatory requirements, but also to the state of war and the increasing number of patients who need drugs with controlled substances, in particular military personnel with severe injuries.
For the first time, quotas for medical cannabis-based substances have been determined. They apply to imports for scientific activities, the production of medicines and finished products included in the State Register. Six such substances are currently registered in Ukraine, and another 18 are in the process of registration. The circulation of medical cannabis is monitored through the Unified Accounting, Registration and Control System.
Methadone quotas are formed taking into account the needs of the opioid substitution therapy program. As of November 2025, 29,112 patients were receiving treatment. Codeine quotas are determined taking into account domestic needs, exports, and possible demand growth.
The approval of quotas is an annual state measure to control the legal circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances and complies with the UN Conventions of 1961, 1971, and 1988.
Recall
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to extend restrictions on the export of timber and scrap metal until the end of 2026. This decision provides for a licensing regime with zero quotas to preserve strategic raw materials in Ukraine and direct them to the needs of domestic processing.
Sean Hocking
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