New legislation will allow doctors to prescribe medical cannabis to a wider variety of patients.
Ynet reports that the Knesset’s Health Committee decided on Tuesday that access to medical cannabis will be significantly expanded, with many more patients qualifying – without the need to obtain a special license to use the drug.
The decision is part of a reform led by the Health Ministry in recent months. Within the reform’s framework, patients with a wide range of diseases and medical conditions will no longer be required to obtain a license in order to receive medical cannabis.
According to the approved regulations, patients will receive a prescription similar to those for other prescription medications. The regulations will come into effect within six months, after the necessary preparations by the relevant authorities.
These patients will no longer require a license but will be able to receive a prescription from specific doctors who will receive training relating to cannabis usage.
This represents a change compared to the current health regulations, under which cancer patients with "an active oncological disease or those undergoing active cancer treatment for the relief of symptoms or treating side effects," are eligible to obtain a license for medical cannabis.
However, a delay in training specialized doctors who can prescribe cannabis may slow down the process and push back the expected date when the new legislation will begin operating.
Source - Ynet/Twitter - Image - Kobi Gideon/Flash90