Summary: The Israeli Ministry of Health has implemented significant changes to the medical cannabis regulations, easing conditions for chronic pain, PTSD, and autism treatment. These updates, part of a broader reform, aim to enhance medical autonomy and reduce bureaucracy for patients and professionals.
Major Reforms in Israeli Medical Cannabis Progarm
The recent updates to the medical cannabis regulations in Israel mark a significant shift in the country’s approach to medical cannabis treatment. These changes, which are part of the medical cannabis regulatory reform initiated in August 2023, focus on easing conditions across several key areas.
One of the major changes in the Israeli medical cannabis program is the removal of the requirement that cannabis be prescribed only as a last resort by a specialist physician. This change underscores the importance of the treating physician’s discretion in numerous indications, allowing for more flexible and patient-centric treatment options.
For patients with autism spectrum disorder, the age restriction for treatment has been lifted. Previously, medical cannabis treatment was limited to patients aged 5 years and above. Now, treatment can be administered based on the physician’s discretion, regardless of the patient’s age, after a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.
In the field of pain management, the updates have eased the duration of treatment in pain clinics. Patients over 45 years old suffering from chronic pain with a clear official diagnosis will now have more accessible treatment options. This change is particularly significant for older patients who often struggle with chronic pain conditions.
The updates also include changes in the treatment of PTSD. For moderate and severe cases characterized by significant mental distress, physicians can now prescribe medical cannabis to patients with a disability rating of 30% or more according to the National Insurance Institute/Ministry of Defense. This can be done after one year of diagnosis, as opposed to the previous requirement of three years.
These regulatory updates are part of a broader reform in the field of medical cannabis by the Ministry of Health. The aim is to enhance the medical autonomy of treating specialist physicians and to ease accessibility for patients in need of medical cannabis. The updates also aim to reduce the bureaucratic burden for both patients and professionals in the field.
Looking ahead, further changes are expected to come into effect at the end of March 2024. These will include a new categorization table, a transition of about 10% of patients to cannabis on prescription, a maximum price cap for a medical cannabis license, prohibition of marketing in colorful packaging, abolition of transparency of active ingredient percentages, sale of grinders in pharmacies only, legalization of CBD, and several easements for manufacturers.
Why It Matters: The updates to the medical cannabis regulations in Israel represent a significant step forward in the treatment and management of conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, and autism. By easing the conditions for prescribing medical cannabis and enhancing the discretion of physicians, these changes are expected to improve the quality of life for many patients. Additionally, the upcoming reforms in 2024 indicate a progressive approach towards medical cannabis, potentially setting a precedent for other countries.
Potential Implications: The easing of medical cannabis regulations could lead to increased use of cannabis for medical purposes, potentially reducing the reliance on traditional pharmaceuticals for certain conditions (mainly opioids for pain). This could also spur further research into the medical benefits of cannabis and its derivatives. However, it may also raise concerns about the regulation and control of medical cannabis, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and evaluation of its use and effects.
Source: קנאביס
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