Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Israel’s Cannabis Decriminalization Policy Comes Into Effect
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org
Medical cannabis at Israel’s third annual CannaTech conference in March 2017. Photo: Adam Abrams.
JNS.org – Israel’s new cannabis decriminalization policy, approved by the government in March, officially came into effect on Sunday, commencing a new legal approach towards the recreational use of marijuana in the Jewish state.
The new government policy shifts the responsibility of enforcing marijuana laws from police to civil authorities. Yet recreational cannabis use is not fully legalized in Israel, and the Israel Police clarified that “even under the new enforcement policy, cannabis use will stay illegal in the public sector,” reported Yedioth Ahronoth.
Possessing more than 15 grams of cannabis remains illegal in Israel. Further, individuals caught carrying less than 15 grams may still be apprehended depending on whether or not the marijuana is determined to be for personal consumption or distribution, based upon the way it is packaged. If police determine the cannabis is for personal use, the individual’s criminal past will be checked; if no drug-related offenses are found, the individual will be fined NIS 1,000 ($280).
Second-time cannabis offenses will result in a NIS 2,000 ($560) fine, third-time offenders will be investigated for drug offenses and have the violation added to their criminal record, and fourth-time offenders will be indicted. A refusal to pay fines could result in a prison sentence of up to one year.
