Medical marijuana in Israel

Some friends, like Assi, like to call me a hippie. Not only because I choose to see the good in people before I judge (if I judge at all). I just happen to believe that I am generally a little bit more in touch with my true nature, as well as the nature around us. I cannot understand the negative hysteria around naked bodies, and I think that processed food tastes like crap. I also happen to know that weed is not as harmful to you as the authorities in for example Sweden want to scare everybody into believing.

It is not only pleasurable to smoke some weed for recreational purposes now and then. It also has a very strong indication for medical use. 14 states in the US have legalised medical marijuana. It is prescribed to patients with terminal diseases in order to relieve pain and negative side-effects from other strong drugs, like chemotherapy. Patients with terminal cancer, or AIDS, get pain relief, but they also get an improved life quality through regained appetite, better sleep and general relaxation. Who is to decide over a dying person anyway?

Israel also has a medical marijuana program today. The company Tikun Olam grows and distributes medicinal marijuana under the good eye of the Israeli Health Ministry. Today around 1,800 people get help to relieve pain caused by various conditions. Stories like this gives me hope for this country.