Israeli government approves guidelines for medical marijuana
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's media adviser said "the Health Ministry will – in coordination with the Israel Police and the Israel Anti-Drug Authority – oversee the foregoing and will also be responsible for supplies from imports and local cultivation."
Of approximately 6,000 Israelis currently being treated with medical cannabis (aka medical marijuana), most suffer from chronic pain and terminal illnesses. The therapeutic potential of cannabis has been known for many years and is recognized by the Health Ministry.
Isreal: Expedite medical marijuana proposal
The Knesset Labor, Social Affairs and Health Committee instructed the Health Ministry on Tuesday to complete within four months its proposals for regulating the use of marijuana (cannabis) for medicinal purposes.
Patients suffering from severe pain from cancer, multiple sclerosis or certain other conditions can apply for a license to obtain free a supply of pure marijuana strains for smoking to relieve their pain.
The committee, headed by MK Haim Katz, said that medical marijuana should not become too costly for the suffering patient to purchase. A detailed bill to regulate medical marijuana would supervise the production, quality and marketing of the product and prevent the drug from reaching illegal users or merchants.
