Transport Ministry tells leasing safety officers to report medical cannabis users

Medical cannabis consumers who drive company cars, public vehicles, or heavy vehicles should be aware that their safety officer will now have to report them to the authorities so a decision can be made on whether they may continue driving. That is according to an update letter sent today, Tuesday, by the Vehicle Control and Organizations Supervision Division at the Transport Ministry to safety officers in Israel, meaning those responsible for vehicle fleets in organizations.

According to Health Ministry data, there are currently about 140,000 registered medical cannabis users in Israel. The number of unregistered users is unknown, but is likely significantly higher. In light of the increase in their numbers in recent years, the Transport Ministry issued the directive to safety officers this week.

In addition, they must transfer the details to the Licensing Office, where the information will be reviewed individually by the office's physician. The physician will be required to make a professional decision that will determine whether the driver is classified as unfit to drive, meaning they are prohibited from driving, or will be referred for an examination to determine whether they are fit to drive.

The instruction to safety officers is in effect an extension of an existing requirement in Israel, which obligates medical cannabis users to report to the Licensing Office when they receive their permit to use cannabis. The implication is that if the user does not initiate the report to the relevant authorities, meaning the Transport Ministry, the responsible safety officer will be required to do so.

It should be noted that under Israeli law, driving under the influence of cannabis is broadly prohibited. However, with regard to medical cannabis, the question arises whether the mere fact that a person is registered by the state as a user means they can hold a driver's license, not only because of the use itself, but because of the conditions that led to the need for cannabis consumption.