Israel wants to allow patients to grow and distribute medical cannabis

In a preliminary vote, the Israeli Knesset has just given the green light to expand the medical cannabis program. Members of the Knesset voted «yes» by a margin of 54 to 42 on the bill proposed by New Hope, a right-wing party that is part of the ruling coalition. The bill must still go before the Parliament’s Health Committee, followed by a vote in a public session and review by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation.

The bill would authorize license holders to cultivate, possess, and distribute cannabis for medical purposes. According to its supporters, this will provide more direct access to the 100,000 patients who often struggle to find cannabis for their treatment.

«It is time to revisit this issue, which has been tied up for years in unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions, and real reform must be carried out here to liberalize the use of cannabis.», says Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, who supports the bill.

High prices and a shortage of clinics

In Israel, the medical cannabis program is indeed facing several problems. First, the prices are quite high. This is a recurring problem, for many years. The previous administration initially attempted to address this by cutting prices in half through the end of 2020. The new administration is now seeking a lasting solution.

According to Representative Sharren Haskel, the bill's sponsor, «Most of the most seriously ill people live on a disability pension that is entirely spent on a medication they need to lead a normal life.».

Another problem: empty shelves. There aren’t enough dispensaries to meet patient demand. Furthermore, these stores are running low on cannabis, since producers must comply with very strict regulations. Israel is therefore forced to import from abroad.