In 2016 the Ministry of Health published the Medical cannabis – information booklet and medical guide IMC-GCP sub-circular to the Ministry of Health Director which included a clinical methodology intended for the doctor treating with medical cannabis. On April 20, 2018, Israeli pharmacies were legally permitted to begin selling cannabis oil under a pilot program.

The following conditions are approved for medical cannabis in Israel:

• Patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, immuno-therapy or radiology
• Crohn’s Disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• AIDS (HIV)
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Epilepsy
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Patients being treated in a pain clinic (such as Fibromyalgia) and people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be eligible to receive a license to use cannabis.

In 2018, Israel approved a law enabling farmers to export medical cannabis. On December 25, 2018, the Israeli Parliament (the “Knesset”), passed the 16th amendment to Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, that concerns the governance and regulatory aspects of exporting medical cannabis from Israel.

As of April 1, 2019, Israel decriminalized the use of cannabis for citizens over the age of 18 when used in private.

The number of authorized medical cannabis patients in Israel has more than tripled in the past three years – from some 32,000 in January 2019 to 123,212 in December 2022, according to new data from the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency (IMCA). By type, flower continues to be the most common form of medical cannabis prescribed, followed by extracts.

Israel cannabis market is home to 204 licensed companies engaged in the field of cannabis for medical use and research and 313 pharmacies authorized to sell medical cannabis.

Israel Cannabis Market Infographics