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Medical Cannabis: From today, an agricultural industry.
The Minister of Agriculture, Uri Ariel, announced that his ministry would recognize the medical cannabis industry as an agricultural sector. Therefore, producers would receive support and assistance from the government.
The ministry estimates that the medical cannabis market will export between 1 billion and 4 billion NIS per year.
On Tuesday morning, Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel announced that he had decided to transform the cultivation of medical cannabis into an agricultural sector. The importance of the decision lies in the fact that farmers who cultivate cannabis will receive: support, grants, water allocations, and even development advice.
For the first time in ten years – a new agricultural sector:
According to experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, it appears that the medical cannabis market intended for export from Israel will be between 1 and 4 billion NIS per year. Furthermore, the ministry estimates that the number of cannabis growers should only be 15 to 20, considering the expected profitability of each dunam.
In addition to this decision, Uri Ariel has tasked the chief scientist of his office and the director of the Agricultural Research Administration to continue cooperation in agricultural research and development and to promote fundamental and applied research in this field.
The last time a new agricultural sector was declared was ten years ago, when the horse industry was declared an agricultural sector. The Ministry of Health stated that in most countries around the world, cannabis and its use are illegal. However, it seems that the use of cannabis for medical purposes is gaining popularity in many countries around the world.
Published studies confirm the positive effects of the plant on one hand, and on the other hand indicate its harms. “The management of cannabis is becoming like that of any other medication,” said an Israeli doctor.
