Israel: Health authorities to extend medical cannabis licenses during Gaza conflict

The Israeli Ministry of Health has taken steps to ensure that cannabis patients can continue to access their treatment following the outbreak of conflict in the country. Following the events that occurred last week, the Israeli Ministry of Health confirmed the extension of the validity of medical cannabis prescription licenses for patients, due to fears about the supply of medicines.

Last Saturday, October 7th, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a large-scale offensive against Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Following the news, the local media outlet Israeli Cannabis Magazine, reported that many cannabis patients were worried about the possibility of running out of medication amid the conflict, with some taking to online forums to express their uncertainty.

In Israel, cannabis prescriptions are issued every two months for limited quantities, but as some patients consumed more than usual due to the “stress” of the situation, they feared running out of prescriptions before they could be renewed.

One patient wrote: “Since the events began, due to stress, I smoke much, much more than usual, I stay at home smoking and my monthly supply is running out. My next prescription won’t open for another two weeks, I don’t know what I’m going to make next week.”

While another added: “I think there are hundreds of patients whose medicines are running out due to the situation, there is double or triple consumption.”

It is thought that around 125 patients in Israel hold medical cannabis licenses, many of them with debilitating illnesses such as cancer, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, dementia, epilepsy, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Currently, patients are required to obtain a government license to legally access cannabis in pharmacies across the country.

The Ministry of Health has now confirmed that a three-month extension will be granted to all patients whose license has expired or is due to expire next month and who have not had time to request its renewal.

The announcement was made following an inquiry by Israeli magazine Cannabis Magazine, when a previous directive regarding access to prescription medicines during the conflict was issued, which appeared to ignore medicinal cannabis.

The directive, published As soon as authorities became aware of the security threat on Saturday, October 7, they allowed patients without a valid prescription to access medicines, but did not mention cannabis patients. The extended license, together with three monthly prescriptions, will be sent to the patient by email.

It is said that a similar process is also being applied to companies that hold cannabis licenses. The Israeli Cannabis Magazine reports that most private pharmacies, as well as local branches of Super Pharm and Be Pharm, should be open as usual, except in combat zones, in accordance with Home Front Command directives.

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This article, written by Journalist Sarah Sinclair, was originally published in Cannabis Health and translated for Cannareporter by João Xabregas.