Israel: The Minister of Health wants to reduce the price of medical cannabis by 50%

Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein has proposed several reforms regarding medical cannabis in Israel to cut its price in half.

The various reforms include the shift from a licensing system to a prescription system for patients, direct sales outside of pharmacies, and the elimination of the CBD from the list of hazardous substances.

Edelstein explained that he had been exposed to the issue of cannabis on two occasions before taking up his current position as Minister of Health and had witnessed its effects on his wife.

«The second case was much sadder,» he explained Edelstein. «When my late wife, Tanya, was in her final months and the pain was unbearable, the doctor suggested she try [cannabis]. I can attest that it helped her. I don’t know if there were any medical benefits or not, but as far as the pain was concerned, it definitely helped her.»

Edelstein has received a large number of messages from patients regarding the cost and difficulties associated with accessing medical cannabis and obtaining a prescription for it.

«It was clear to me that professional and prompt care was needed and that, with the coronavirus, I wouldn’t be able to manage on my own in the coming year,» Edelstein explained. «Therefore, I asked my deputy, Yoav Kish, to coordinate the resolution of the issue and address it as quickly as possible.»

The health minister asked Kish to find ways to reduce the cost of medical cannabis for the approximately 30,000 current patients and to examine reforms to determine what works and what doesn't.

«No one can remain indifferent to the harsh reality that patients face,» Kish said.