Israeli Doctors Face Pressure Over Medical Cannabis Amid Misuse Concerns

Israel leads globally in medical cannabis use for mental health, but the boundaries of its application have become blurred. Physicians authorized to issue cannabis licenses face continuous pressure from the healthcare system and patients, sometimes encountering anger or demands for prescriptions without medical justification. This dynamic risks turning doctors from gatekeepers into defendants who must explain why they deny treatment.

Instances include family members requesting cannabis for elderly relatives who do not medically need it, often for smoking forms that may even harm them. Much of the demand for smoked cannabis is not for therapeutic purposes but rather leaks into the black market, turning medical cannabis into a quick-profit source. This situation undermines trust in the medical system and complicates regulatory oversight.

Clinically, most patients benefit more from controlled cannabis products like oils or inhalers, which provide longer-lasting effects despite slower onset. Smoking cannabis, with its rapid but brief effect, should be reserved for a small subset of patients with breakthrough pain. However, smoked cannabis remains highly sought after both inside and outside medical channels.

To preserve medical cannabis as a legitimate treatment for those truly in need, Professor Rafi Carasso urges the Ministry of Health to prioritize controlled cannabis formulations and enforce strict criteria for prescribing flowering cannabis. Clear and stringent regulations are essential to prevent doctors from becoming unwilling collaborators in the diversion of cannabis to the open market under the guise of liberal attitudes toward the plant.