Mobilizing marijuana: Israel’s cannabis industry prepares to go legit

Israel’s budding cannabis industry has set its sights on expanding its manufacturing, production and export capabilities, as the country prepares to legalize recreational marijuana in the coming months.

Hagit Weinstock is an attorney specializing in cannabis regulation who co-founded the Tel Aviv-based Weinstock-Zehavi & Co. law firm. She sits on a number of government committees that are working to move legalization efforts forward quickly.

“I can see by the committees that I’m part of that everyone is pushing that [legalization] will be done,” Weinstock said. “We already have a draft [law].”

According to the draft law, Israelis over the age of 21 will be allowed to use cannabis and to purchase it at designated stores. Smoking in public places, however, will be forbidden.

Weinstock’s firm is already working with dozens of Israeli and international companies and investors in the growing marijuana sector. Despite the instability of the current Israeli government – and talks of yet another round of elections – she believes that legalization will proceed as planned in the coming months.

“Both sides agree on this issue,” Weinstock says. “They’ve all signed a declaration that this will be an issue that they are going to support so we don’t have dangers with this government or others.”Last week, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein a regulatory amendment permitting the use of CBD (cannabidiol) – one of the key active ingredients of cannabis – in cosmetics and food products. [Read more at The Media Line]

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