Israel Announces Full Legalization of CBD
At the beginning of the week, Israel’s Ministry of Health informed the media that the government has officially decided to fully legalize and “normalize” CBD, including its sale and use throughout the country. The government ruled that from now on, CBD will no longer be classified as a regulated psychoactive substance, making it completely deregulated and allowing for its free production and sale. In addition, other non-psychoactive cannabinoid compounds related to the CBD family will also be included in this legalization.
Overall, the authorities intend to legalize the free production and sale of any products based on cannabis, provided that these products do not contain more than 0.3% THC concentration. As a result, this government decision will finally remove all restrictions from the industrial segment of the hemp industry, allowing companies in this market to freely produce products such as dietary supplements, medicines, and cosmetics that may contain various cannabinoids.
Implementation and Certification Process
Although, according to the Ministry, the law will take effect immediately, in practice, manufacturers of industrial cannabis products will still need to be certified by the state. The process of developing the certification and regulatory system for such industrial enterprises may take up to two more years. In any case, Ministry representatives already expect a surge in applications for enterprise recognition from potential entrepreneurs.
“At this point, we have reached a consensus that CBD is not a substance dangerous to human health or psyche. However, the same cannot be said for every product containing this substance or similar cannabinoids. For this reason, we need to develop a new certification and sanitary control system for CBD products belonging to the industrial, not therapeutic, market segment, which is already strictly regulated,” said Israel’s Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz, regarding the reform. “In any case, despite possible delays, this reform is an important component of a set of measures aimed at gradually bringing the entire country to the full legalization of the plant and its active substances within an organized and regulated market.”
Positive Response from the Medical Cannabis Sector
News of the reform has already been welcomed by representatives of Israel’s medical cannabis sector, who claim that lifting restrictions on medical CBD will significantly accelerate the process of studying and testing the substance as a treatment for various severe and chronic diseases.