{
  "id": 19201720,
  "title": "Carthage case not linked to launch of medical cannabis market; illegal networks sought to block reforms – UAMC head",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/carthage-case-not-linked-to-launch-of-medical-cannabis-market-illegal",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-09T19:22:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Interfax-Ukraine",
    "slug": "interfax-ukraine",
    "url": "https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1233709.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hennadiy Shabas, the head of the Ukrainian Medical Cannabis Association (UAMC), clarified that the Carthage case is unrelated to the launch of the medical cannabis market. He emphasized that illegal networks were interested in obstructing the changes outlined in law enforcement materials. Shabas distinguished synthetic cannabinoids, which are created in labs to evade bans, from medical cannabis which is legal in Ukraine. He explained that when a formula is banned, manufacturers simply alter the molecule to release a new substance. He stressed that there is no chemical or compositional similarity between synthetic cannabinoids and cannabis. He accused criminals of exploiting public sentiment and disguising their drugs as medical cannabis. Shabas pointed out that the law on medical cannabis has broad public support, explaining that criminals are trying to exploit this sentiment. He explained that the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 146 banned specific substances, but a later resolution (No. 1213) banned entire groups of synthetic cannabinoids based on their chemical structure. This change eliminated the need to register each new formula separately. Shabas noted that criminal groups benefited from blocking reforms, as they could change formulas and destroy inventory with each new ban. He detailed the timeline of the medical cannabis market in Ukraine, from the initial legislation to the first dispensations. As of October 2026, only a few pharmacies were dispensing the medications, citing barriers such as limited dosage forms, quota systems, poor quality control, and high prices. Shabas highlighted the need for better public understanding to prevent such scams from undermining trust in legal medical cannabis treatment.",
  "summary": "The Carthage case is not related to the launch of the medical cannabis market, but illegal networks had an interest in blocking the changes mentioned in the materials released by law enforcement agencies, a lawyer and head of the Ukrainian Medical Cannabis Association (UAMC) Hennadiy Shabas said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Carthage case unrelated to medical cannabis market launch",
    "Illegal networks sought to obstruct reforms, according to UAMC head",
    "Synthetic cannabinoids differ chemically from legal medical cannabis"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}