cannabisnews.com: Israeli Cabinet Makes Move to Decriminalize MJ
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Israeli Cabinet Makes Move to Decriminalize MJ
Posted by CN Staff on March 05, 2017 at 14:04:14 PT
By Ian Fisher
Source: New York Times
Jerusalem -- Israel, which has been at the forefront of research into medical marijuana and the drug’s commercialization, took a major step on Sunday toward officially decriminalizing its recreational use. At a time when many American states and European countries are loosening marijuana laws, the Israeli cabinet approved a plan that would impose fines rather than criminal penalties on those caught using the drug in public.Growing and selling marijuana, which is widely used here recreationally and medicinally, would remain illegal.
“On the one hand, we are opening ourselves up to the future,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the cabinet. “On the other hand, we understand the dangers and will try to balance the two.”The decision still requires the approval of Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset.Until the decision on Sunday, people charged with marijuana use could face heavy fines and even incarceration, though the official policy in recent years effectively amounted to decriminalization. There were fewer than 200 arrests in 2015.About 25,000 Israelis, in a population of 8.5 million, hold permits to use medical marijuana to ease symptoms of cancer, epilepsy and other diseases, but that number is expected to grow rapidly.Under the new rules, people caught using marijuana publicly a first time would face a fine of about $270 rather than criminal charges. Fines would rise with repeated offenses, with criminal charges filed only after a fourth offense.The new rules were drafted, after much debate, by Gilad Erdan, the public security minister. “The government’s approval is an important step on the way to implement the new policy, which will emphasize public information and treatment instead of criminal enforcement,” he said after the cabinet’s decision on Sunday.Israel has been active for decades in studying the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and the government and private industry have been working to turn it into a major business, including for export.ICan: Israel-Cannabis, a venture fund and technology incubator for start-ups in the medical marijuana business, praised the decision.“This step, although not legitimizing use, is due to reduce the negative perception of the plant as ‘immoral’ or ‘criminal,’ increasing openness to its outstanding medicinal and wellness properties,” Saul Kaye, a pharmacist and the fund’s chief executive, said in a statement. “The decision will significantly increase entrepreneurship and investment into cannabis in Israel.”While marijuana use has long been overlooked by the authorities in Israel, the police have continued enforcement against growers and dealers. A campaign is underway for the law to distinguish between those growing small amounts, particularly for medical purposes, and those growing it commercially. The cabinet decision on Sunday did not address that issue.Source: New York Times (NY) Author: Ian FisherPublished: March 5, 2017Copyright: 2017 The New York Times CompanyContact: letters nytimes.comWebsite: http://www.nytimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/KRZaqnHyCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by Garry Minor on March 07, 2017 at 03:54:38 PT:
Cannabis in the Holy Oil: Kaneh Bosm
I find it amazing that the Hebrews don't seem to know what the Book says anymore than the supposed "Christians."כב וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר. 22 Moreover the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:כג וְאַתָּה קַח-לְךָ, בְּשָׂמִים רֹאשׁ, מָר-דְּרוֹר חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת, וְקִנְּמָן-בֶּשֶׂם מַחֲצִיתוֹ חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם; וּקְנֵה-בֹשֶׂם, חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם. 23 'Take thou also unto thee the chief spices, of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty, and of kaneh bosm two hundred and fifty,כד וְקִדָּה, חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ; וְשֶׁמֶן זַיִת, הִין. 24 and of cassia five hundred, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin.כה וְעָשִׂיתָ אֹתוֹ, שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת-קֹדֶשׁ--רֹקַח מִרְקַחַת, מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵחַ; שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת-קֹדֶשׁ, יִהְיֶה. 25 And thou shalt make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.It's a big old magnificent world, full of distractions, but, True is True!There is water in water, there is Fire in Chrism.Kaneh bosm - קְנֵה-בֹשֶׂם
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on March 06, 2017 at 18:13:58 PT
FoM,
I see Israel takes a step forward, however, cannabis is still a crime there. Lesser crime, but still..."Under the new policy, first-time offenders caught using marijuana in public will be subject to a fine of approximately $250, but will not face criminal charges. The money will be used for drug rehabilitation and education. A second offense will be subject to a fine of approximately $500, while a third offense may require rehabilitation, education and a suspended driver's license. A fourth offense will be subject to prosecution and a possible prison term."-0-I don't take lightly this is a progressive move though.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 06, 2017 at 17:36:58 PT
Israel Makes it Official: Cannabis is not a Crime
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/06/health/israel-decriminalizes-cannabis-marijuana/
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 06, 2017 at 14:55:09 PT
HempWorld 
I sure hope you are right about Sessions. Trump is so scary. He acts like a spoiled teenager in an old man's body. I just pray he doesn't start a war. Doing what he did on Saturday about Obama bugging him is over the top. 
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Comment #2 posted by HempWorld on March 06, 2017 at 09:10:10 PT
Sessions is now Toast!
Thank you God!
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on March 05, 2017 at 17:29:20 PT
Does this mean it can be decriminalized in the US?
I mean federally?Is the Jewish state giving us the nod?I wonder?Still penalties for using a plant?We have much more to go!
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