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The Health Ministry on Monday published the outlines of its new reform in the use of medical cannabis, which will come into effect in December and would allow more patients to have access to the drug and remove bureaucratic obstacles currently in place. The ministry said it would review the matter in one year and may expand access to more potential users.
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Israel has the highest per capita licenses for medical cannabis recipients in the West and the reform would not only make it easier to obtain the drug but would lower its cost and provide long-term security to growers and vendors.
"This is great news for tens of thousands of Israeli citizens and for the economy and combines social sensitivity with the protection of public health," Health Minister Moshe Arbel said.
According to the ministry, patients suffering from cancer, Crohn's disease, dementia, autism, multiple sclerosis (MS), or HIV, and terminally ill patients who are not expected to live more than six months, will be able to receive prescriptions from their doctors and not have to go through the process of obtaining a license.
But critics slammed the reform for ignoring the many who suffer from PTSD and those suffering chronic pain including fibromyalgia, among other ailments, who would still be required to obtain a license or rely on traditional pain medication that could cause addiction.
In its announcement, the ministry said the reform was the result of months of considered preparation that included discussions with representatives of patients, producers and doctors, and after hearing public concerns. "Our policy aims to reduce the regulatory burden and preserve public health," the ministry said.
The reform would lift some of the regulatory restrictions on growers and producers and enable more research and development of medical cannabis