Cannabis in Israel

Professor Raphael Mechoulam isolated THC from Cannabis in 1964 (along with Yechiel Gaoni) and later discovered anandamide.

Cannabis in Israel is illegal for recreational use but allowed for some specified medical usages.

Medical marijuana

THC, the psychoactive chemical component in marijuana that causes a high, was first isolated by Israeli scientists Raphael Mechoulam of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem's Center for Research on Pain and Yechiel Gaoni of the Weizmann Institute in 1964.[1][2]

Marijuana for medical use has been permitted in Israel since the early 1990s for cancer patients and those with pain-related illnesses such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's Disease, other chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients can smoke the drug, ingest it in liquid form, or apply it to the skin as a balm.

In 2004, the Israeli military began using THC, the active ingredient in cannabis for experimental treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder of soldiers.[3][4][5]

The numbers of patients authorized to use marijuana in Israel in 2012 is about 10,000.[1][2] There are eight government-sanctioned cannabis growing operations in Israel, which distribute it for medical purposes to patients who have a prescription from a doctor, via either a company's store, or in a medical center.[1]

The Tikkun Olam Company has developed a variety of marijuana that is reported to provide the medical benefits of cannabis, but without THC. The cannabis instead contains high quantities of CBD, a substance that is believed to be an anti-inflammatory ingredient, which helps alleviate pain.[1][6]

Reform

As of 2015, most Israeli political parties favor legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.[7] Parties represented in the Knesset that support the legalization of medical marijuana include the Zionist Union, the Joint List, Meretz, and Kulanu. The latter two support decriminalization of the drug altogether.[8] The Green Leaf Party, which has made cannabis legalization its raison d'être, has thus far never won a Knesset seat.[7]

Enforcement

Cannabis for recreational purposes is illegal, and even the smallest amounts may lead to an arrest. Up to 0.002g of marijuana or hash will end up with an interrogation in the police station, but no major acts against the user. Above 0.002g will lead to having a police record and is treated as non-personal use.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bohn, Lauren E. (2 November 2012). "Israel pushing ahead in medical marijuana industry". The Seattle Times.
  2. 1 2 Kloosterman, Karin (29 March 2012). "Israeli medicine goes to pot". Israel 21C. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "News - Latest breaking UK news". Telegraph. 2013-06-07. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  4. ↑ Stressed Israeli soldiers to be treated with cannabis China Daily: 2004-08-05
  5. ↑ "Jerusalem Post - National News". Fr.jpost.com. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  6. ↑ News: ISRAELVALLEY SANTE – Les vertus du cannabis – En Israël, le « fournisseur médical » de marijuana du Ministère de la santé, Tikun Olam, prône les bienfaits de la plante controversée pour le traitement du cancer. Israelvalley.com – Site officiel de la Cambre de Commerce France-Israël, CCFI (22 November 2010). Retrieved 2012-05-19.
  7. 1 2 Ido Efrati, Grass roots support: Most Israeli parties favor use of medical marijuana Haaretz (March 11, 2015)
  8. ↑ Joshua Davidovich, Not exactly out of left field The Times of Israel (March 11, 2015)
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