Medical Marijuana Cultivation Course at Hebrew University Breaks Popularity Records

The Hebrew University in Jerusalem has launched its first-ever course on the cultivation and use of medical marijuana, and it is already breaking records for popularity. The course is designed for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of this emerging field in Israeli medicine.

Out of nearly two thousand applicants, only 50 people were selected to participate in the course. Classes are led by Dr. Nirit Bernstein, a world-renowned expert in this area. For the past five years, Dr. Bernstein has been conducting research at the Volcani Institute, refining methods for growing medical marijuana in Israel and studying its medicinal properties.

“In English, ‘mary jane’ traditionally refers to the psychoactive cannabis used in medicine, while ‘hemp’ is the corresponding agricultural crop. The same definitions are used in Israel,” explains Dr. Bernstein.

According to her, marijuana has been used for treatment for over 10,000 years. Essentially, it is a treasure trove of beneficial substances, but because the plant was considered a narcotic for many years, scientific research on it was halted. Now, the situation is changing.

“At the Volcani Institute,” says Dr. Bernstein, “the National Center for the Study of Medical Marijuana was established at the initiative of the Ministry of Health. I believe there is no need to fear marijuana or demonize it. Everything should be approached reasonably.”