The media attack and harassment of MP Volodymyr Horkovenko over alleged involvement of his son in promoting drug use are cynical, immoral, and unacceptable in a modern democratic society. The organizers of this campaign may have ties to the aggressor state.
This is stated in a declaration by the Ukrainian Cannabis Association, published on the organization’s official social media page, as reported by My.ua.
The document highlights that recent media publications aimed at discrediting Volodymyr Horkovenko and his son, Nazar Horkovenko, a student at a British university, have emerged. Nazar is accused of founding a company in London called “Kyiv420,” which sells T-shirts featuring prints that allegedly promote drug use, and is also claimed to be linked to another company with a similar name in Ukraine that is directly involved in selling cannabis.
The Ukrainian Cannabis Association believes that anti-cannabinoid campaigns are sponsored by transnational alcohol manufacturers and radical right-wing marginal politicians seeking to mobilize their voter base. No progressive society today considers the use of cannabis a crime or a violation of social norms.
“Numerous medical studies demonstrate that the use of cannabis and certain other types of light drugs, when consumed responsibly, does not pose a systemic threat to physical or mental health. In contrast, alcohol causes physical addiction, destroys the human body, and acts as a natural depressant,” the statement notes.
The Association emphasizes that cannabis has proven to be an effective remedy for alleviating conditions in various illnesses, and its legalization has positive social effects and generates additional budget revenue.
The authors of the statement also suggest that the attacks on Volodymyr Horkovenko and his son may be instigated by sources connected to Russia.
“The accusations against Volodymyr Horkovenko and his son are manifestations of ignorance and affiliation with the regressive part of the world, which includes, among others, the aggressor state Russia, as well as the entire axis of evil — Iran, North Korea, and totalitarian China, where cannabis use is strictly prohibited. The rhetoric employed by the initiators of this campaign raises questions: could this campaign against Volodymyr Horkovenko, an MP from the European Solidarity party known for its patriotic stance, have been inspired by sources close to the aggressor state?” the Association states.
In this regard, the Ukrainian Cannabis Association calls on law enforcement authorities to hold the organizers of the media attack on the Horkovenkos accountable.
“We urge law enforcement agencies to conduct a comprehensive, thorough, and objective investigation into the discriminatory campaign against Volodymyr Horkovenko and his son, identify its initiators, and apply the measures provided by law. Such attacks not only damage the reputation of individuals but also undermine Ukraine’s image as a modern, progressive state,” the organization concludes.
It is worth noting that media reports have alleged that Nazar Horkovenko, the son of Kyiv Regional Council MP Volodymyr Horkovenko, who studies at Bayes Business School in London, is involved in the company “Kyiv420,” which sells clothing with prints that could be interpreted as promoting light drug use.
