When Dope Gives Hope: Israel Legalises Medical Use Of Marijuana; Empowers Police To Supervise Licensing Process

Israel has joined a growing number of countries like Canada and Thailand to legalise the medical use of the cannabis plant, reports The New Indian Express.

The country’s parliament unanimously approved a law which permits the exports of medical marijuana, which in turn opens the door for Israel to tap into the lucrative global market. Israel will become the third country behind Canada and Netherlands to take its medical marijuana global.

iCAN, Israel’s medical cannabis company, predicts that the global demand will reach $ 33 billion in the next five years, as the stigma fades and the demand grows for the few certified countries to export.

The shares of the cannabis company rose by about 10 per cent after the law was approved late Tuesday ( December 25). Officials did not pass the law for years over the fear that medical marijuana would leak into the black market. The law puts to rest these concerns by empowering the police to supervise licensing. The Israeli cabinet is yet to give final approval in a step which is seen as a formality.