Cannabis in Israel

Israel runs one of the world's largest medical cannabis programs and still treats recreational cannabis as a dangerous drug. About 130,000 people held active licences in March 2025, down from a peak of 140,483 in January 2024, according to a 2025 review in the Journal of Cannabis Research. Everything they buy comes through pharmacies: the Health Ministry's dataset of authorized cannabis pharmacies, updated on August 27, 2026, has 423 entries, from Eilat to the Galilee, and some deliver to patients' homes. Flower dominates, at 94% of what was dispensed in March 2025, and prices are set per product, typically 15 to 39 NIS a gram.

Access runs on two tracks since the reform of April 1, 2024. For ten listed conditions, among them active cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, epilepsy, autism and dementia, a trained specialist in a health fund (Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit) or public hospital writes a prescription; private clinics cannot. Chronic non-cancer pain and PTSD, which together account for most patients, still need a licence from the Health Ministry's Medical Cannabis Unit, known as Yakar (IMCA).

That system is under review. In May 2026 a ministry committee chaired by Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer recommended phasing out smoked cannabis within three years, shifting all cannabis care and dispensing to the health funds, and approving cannabis for PTSD only in severe cases alongside psychotherapy. As of September 2026 the recommendations had not replaced the 2024 rules; which route applies to which condition.

Outside the program, cannabis is not legal but is decriminalized for small amounts. Since April 1, 2022, administrative regulations set a 500 NIS fine for possession or private use and 1,000 NIS for use in a public place, including a car, for up to 15 grams, without a criminal record. The escalating 2019 scheme (1,000 NIS, then 2,000 NIS, then prosecution) has expired. Soldiers, security personnel and prisoners are excluded. Growing without a licence, selling and even giving cannabis away remain criminal offenses. CBD is a grey area: the health minister decided in 2022 to exempt CBD with at most 0.3% THC from the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, but how far that has been implemented is disputed. More in is weed legal in Israel.

Tourists have no legal route. Foreign medical cards and prescriptions are not recognized, visitors cannot get an Israeli licence, and bringing cannabis products into the country is illegal. Legalization bills passed preliminary readings in June 2020 but never became law, and no adult-use bill is advancing in 2026. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice.