Israel’s cannabis revolution

There’s no doubt about it: 2019 is the “Year of Cannabis” in Israel. On Jan. 27, the government approved the export of medical marijuana, causing the stock of eight companies producing cannabis and its byproducts to skyrocket hundreds of points on the local exchange. Meanwhile, on April 1, two important reforms go into effect.

First, some 100 specially trained physicians will be able to write prescriptions allowing patients to purchase the drug at Super-Pharm, Israel's largest pharmacy chain, positioning Israel as a pioneer in the sale of marijuana in pharmacies. Second, in a move toward decriminalization, the current law mandating up to three years in prison for marijuana use will be overturned as a temporary measure — for three years to study the effects — and users caught with up to 15 grams would be required to pay a fine of 1,000 shekels ($274) for the first offense and 2,000 shekels ($548) for the second offense (if committed within five years of the first offense), and neither instance would result in a criminal record. A user caught for a third time would be offered a conditional arrangement and sent to rehab.