Israel: Ministerial committee approves legalization of cannabis

The Israeli bill to legalize cannabis was approved Sunday by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation, clearing its first hurdle on the path to becoming law.

The bill would legalize the sale and purchase of cannabis for people over the age of 21. It would decriminalize the possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis while fully legalizing the possession and consumption of up to 15 grams. Home cultivation will remain illegal. Cannabis and cannabis products will be sold in licensed stores. The medical cannabis program will also be expanded.

«Today, for the first time in the history of the State of Israel, my legislative process is officially beginning to regulate the cannabis market in Israel,» said written Sharren Haskel, a Likud lawmaker who co-sponsored the legislation with Blue and White lawmaker Ram Shefa. «I am proud to announce good news to more than one million cannabis users and tens of thousands of people with medical conditions.»

Next Wednesday, the bill is expected to be presented to the Knesset for the first of three votes it must pass to become law.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party, announced in a joint statement that they would push for legislation «to resolve the issue of decriminalization and legalization,» apparently referring to the recreational use of cannabis.

Regulation will be carried out «through a responsible model that will suit the State of Israel and the Israeli public,» the statement said, without providing further details. They also announced a reform of medical cannabis regulations to make it easier for patients to access cannabis-based treatments and for producers to obtain a license.