Medical and Industrial Cannabis License in Ukraine

An increasing number of entrepreneurs in Ukraine are interested in the legal cultivation and processing of cannabis for both medical and industrial purposes. However, before starting activity in this field, it is important to understand that the licensing requirements differ significantly depending on whether you plan to grow or process medical cannabis or industrial hemp.

It should be noted that medical cannabis is subject to much stricter regulation, requiring additional monitoring and reporting. We have supported projects in both areas and understand which requirements are key for your field and what regulatory authorities pay the most attention to.

In this article, we will review the key differences in licensing requirements for medical and industrial cannabis. This will help you navigate the legislation, determine the most suitable direction for your business, and avoid common mistakes when preparing documents.

If you plan to legally cultivate or process cannabis in Ukraine and want to avoid the risk of license denial or issues with regulatory authorities, keep reading.

You might also like: Medical Cannabis in Ukraine: The Most Common Questions About Licensing and Business

Intended Use of Cannabis

Cannabis has a wide range of applications in the medical, scientific, and industrial fields. It contains active substances, in particular tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which interact with receptors in the human central nervous system. Depending on the THC content and intended use, cannabis is divided into two main types: medical and recreational (industrial).

Cannabis for Medical Use

These are plants of the Cannabis species grown from certified seed material of at least the second generation. They are classified as medicinal crops and are included in the official list of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances permitted for the production of medical preparations.

The content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the dried plant material (straw) of such cannabis is 0.3% or higher, which determines its status as medical cannabis.

Industrial Cannabis

These also belong to the Cannabis genus and are grown from certified seeds, but they are classified as agricultural crops. They are used in various industries, ranging from textiles, biofuel, and construction materials to cosmetics and food products.

The main legal characteristic of industrial cannabis is that the THC content in dried straw does not exceed 0.3%. This means such plants have no psychoactive effect and are not subject to strict regulation as narcotic substances.

Thus, the intended use of cannabis is clearly determined by its purpose, the content of active substances, and legislative regulations. Each form of use is subject to specific rules for cultivation, processing, and distribution, which businesses must take into account when obtaining the appropriate license.

Requirements for License Holders of Medical and Industrial Cannabis

According to the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Precursors”, the cultivation of cannabis (hemp) is permitted only for business entities that have obtained the appropriate license issued by the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control.

Medical Cannabis – Ban on Open-Field Cultivation

Medical cannabis, under current legislation, is classified as a narcotic substance. For this reason, stricter security and control requirements apply to its cultivation. The main obligation of the license holder is to ensure that cultivation takes place exclusively in closed soil conditions.

Closed soil includes:

• specially equipped greenhouses (permanent structures);
• industrial greenhouse complexes;
• laboratories;
• other facilities with controlled access, security, video surveillance, and technical safety systems.

These criteria are subject to strict control. First, an agreement must be signed with the Security Police, which installs video surveillance, fire safety systems, and ensures access control to the premises, among other requirements. After that, the National Police issues a permit confirming that the premises can indeed be used for cannabis cultivation.

We have already provided more details in our material: Medical Cannabis in Ukraine: Security Requirements and Approval by the National Police for Obtaining a License.

Cultivation of medical cannabis in open fields is strictly prohibited, as it creates risks of uncontrolled access, theft, and leakage of products with a high content of psychoactive substances.

Please note! Violation of this requirement may be regarded as illegal cultivation of narcotic substances, which can lead to license cancellation and, in certain cases, criminal liability under Article 310 or Article 320 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Industrial Cannabis – Open-Field Cultivation Allowed

Unlike medical cannabis, industrial hemp is not classified as a narcotic substance. Therefore, it is subject to the general rules for cultivating agricultural crops, which allow:

• Open-field cultivation (field conditions), but with a mandatory physical fence to secure the crops and prevent unauthorized access by third parties. This does not have to be a permanent concrete or metal structure; a mesh or other physical perimeter barrier is sufficient.
• The enterprise must have documents confirming land use rights.
• The cultivation site must be properly marked.
• There is no requirement to install video surveillance or alarm systems, as these are not necessary for industrial varieties.
• There are no requirements for greenhouses, surveillance, or security systems.

You might also like: Licensing of Medical Cannabis Cultivation in Ukraine: Recent Legislative Changes

Requirements for License Holders

Depending on the purpose of cannabis cultivation, either medical or industrial, Ukrainian legislation sets different levels of documentary and organizational requirements for obtaining a license.

To obtain a license for the cultivation and processing of medical cannabis, the following documents must be submitted to the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control:

• Documents confirming ownership or use rights to the facilities (capital structures) where cultivation and processing take place;
• Copies of diplomas (or other proof of qualifications) of at least three employees with agronomy education;
• Certificates from medical institutions confirming that employees are free from alcohol or drug dependence;
• Information about the material and technical base (security systems, record-keeping, staff);
• Documentary description of the submitted materials.

In addition, for medical cannabis, security, video surveillance, and authorization procedures coordinated with the National Police of Ukraine are mandatory.

For the cultivation of industrial cannabis, the requirements are significantly simplified. The following must be submitted:

• Application;
• Document confirming the right to use the land plot (lease or ownership);
• Information about the industrial cannabis variety (certified seeds).

Cannabis License in Ukraine: Avoid Mistakes and Obtain Permission Without Risks

Given the complexity of cannabis regulation in Ukraine, even minor errors in documents or procedures can be grounds for refusal to issue a license or for revocation of an existing one. In addition, laws and regulatory requirements for cannabis cultivation are constantly changing, and keeping up with them is a real challenge. That is why reliable professional support is essential.

Our team has practical experience supporting both medical and industrial cannabis projects at every stage. We know how to account for the smallest details of legislation, regulatory requirements, and safety standards to ensure your business launches successfully.

We offer:

• Analysis of your business compliance with licensing conditions – we review the readiness of facilities, personnel, land, and material-technical base.
• Preparation of a complete document package for obtaining a cannabis license – free of formal errors and in line with how regulatory authorities interpret the requirements.

We work with full consideration of the latest legal changes, adhering to the principles of legal due diligence and a focus on practical results.

If you are planning to enter the cannabis market, consult with us before submitting your documents. This will save you time, money, and reputation, and will also ensure that your business operates fully within the legal framework.