Methadone, codeine, and cannabis: what quotas will apply in 2026
8 January 08:54
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved new quotas for the production, circulation, import, and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for 2026. The relevant resolution was adopted as an annual state measure to control the legal circulation of controlled substances, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing the Ministry of Health.
According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the decision was made in accordance with Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors.” The document defines the maximum amounts of substances required for medicine, pharmaceutical production, science, and education, as well as for the fulfillment of Ukraine’s international obligations.
Why quotas are being introduced
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the approved volumes are intended to prevent the leakage of narcotic and psychotropic substances into illegal circulation and to ensure a stable supply of drugs for patients. This year, special attention is being paid to the conditions of martial law and the growing number of patients who need strong painkillers and psychotropic drugs, especially soldiers with serious injuries.
“The approval of quotas is dictated not only by regulatory requirements, but also by the real needs of the healthcare system in wartime,” the Ministry of Health emphasized.
Medical cannabis — for the first time with separate quotas
For the first time in Ukraine, quotas have been set for substances based on medical cannabis. These include:
- imports for scientific and scientific-technical activities;
- import for the production of medicines;
- the circulation of finished products included in the State Register of Medicines.
The calculations took into account applications from licensed companies, their production capacities, and risks associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Currently, six medical cannabis substances are registered in Ukraine, with another 18 in the process of registration. All circulation of such drugs is tracked through a unified system of accounting, registration, and control—from cultivation to dispensing to patients for medical reasons.
Methadone and codeine: how volumes were formed
Quotas for methadone were set based on the needs of the substitution maintenance therapy program. As of November 2025, more than 29,000 patients were receiving treatment under the program.
Quotas for codeine were determined based on domestic needs, exports, and possible growth in demand. At the same time, combination drugs with low doses of codeine, which are not subject to quotas, were not included in the lists.
Ukraine’s international obligations
The Ministry of Health noted that the new quotas also ensure Ukraine’s compliance with international agreements in accordance with the 1961, 1971, and 1988 UN conventions. This allows national legislation to be brought into line with international standards for the control of controlled substances.
The full list of approved quotas and substances is published in the annexes to the government resolution.
