Ukraine to Hold a Poll during Local Elections. One of the Questions Is about Marijuana Legalization

October 25, local elections will take place in Ukraine. During the voting, an all-Ukrainian public opinion poll will be conducted on the “five important” issues. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the questions on October 16, unian.net reports. Zelensky said that citizens of Ukraine will be invited to answer the following questions: Should the number of deputies in the Verkhovna Rada be reduced to 300? Do you support legalization medical cannabis in Ukraine to reduce pain for seriously ill patients? Should Ukraine raise the issue of using the security guarantees defined by the Budapest Memorandum at the international level? The first two questions earlier announced by Zelensky related to the need to introduce life sentences for corruption and introducing a free economic zone in Donbass. The nationwide poll initiated by Zelensky, unlike the referendum, will not have direct legal consequences, “however, it will give every citizen an opportunity to speak out on issues important to society. The state raises direct questions before the society and receives direct answers without intermediaries,” the Ukrainian President’s Office noted. Zelensky announced the poll on October 13, stressing that he is considering a form of direct democracy. “This is almost the first time in the history of independence that we ask: “What do you think?”. Why is your answer important? Because it will be as you decide, because Ukraine is you,” the president said.