The majority of Israel’s 6,000 marijuana users suffer from chronic pain and terminal diseases, according to local paper ‘Haaretz’
“The cabinet has approved arrangements and supervision regarding the supply of cannabis for medical and research uses,” said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman.
On Sunday 7th August the Israeli Government gave its approval to guidelines that will govern the importation and local production of medicinal marijuana that is used by thousands of people in the country.
“The Health Ministry will, in coordination with the Israeli Police and the Israeli Anti-Drug Authority, oversee the foregoing and will also be responsible for supplies from imports and local cultivation”, continues the statement.
Around 6,000 people use marijuana medicinally in Israel, according to the local paper Haaretz, and the majority suffer from chronic pain and terminal diseases.
The Health Ministry believes that it is necessary to regulate the distribution of marijuana to patients and to establish guidelines to control its use medicinally. The new legislation aims to make the drug available to patients without them having to resort to the black market.
The Ministry plans to import buds, which contain the active ingredient known as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), from countries such as Canada and Nederlands, “which have demonstrated great experience in growing, quality control and supervision of active ingredients”, explained General Director Boaz Lev.
