BOB OS
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 11, 2011
- 3,431
- 6,848
Israel Officially Decriminalizes Marijuana Use
First-time offenders will face $270 fine if caught using marijuana in a public place, but criminal charges will only be brought if person re-offends four times.
Yaniv Kubovich
Mar 05, 2017 4:58 PM
A woman smokes during an event marking Israel's government's approval of a new policy to decriminalize personal marijuana use in Tel Aviv, Israel February 4, 2017. Baz Ratner, Reuters
According to the proposal formulated by the Public Security and Justice ministries, any first-time offender caught using marijuana in public would receive a fine rather than face criminal action.
>> Get all updates on Israel: Download our free App, and Subscribe >>
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who led the reform, said that "the government's approval is an important step on the way to implement the new policy, which will emphasize public information and treatment instead of criminal enforcement."
Sharing is caring. Spread the word
To implement the policy, an inter-ministerial team will be set up to propose amendments, regulations and the required changes to carry out the new policy.
>> Read more: How cannabis became illegal in Israel in the first place | Is marijuana kosher? | Meet the king of Israel's medical marijuana industry | Marijuana matzo balls: Jewish food gets a green twist >>
MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), the chairwoman of the Knesset Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, said that "this is an important step, but not the end of the road. It sends a message that a million of Israelis who consume marijuana aren’t criminals. We will carry on following the details in the committee and ensure that the change is implemented."
Erdan is set to attend a special committee discussion on the decriminalization reform on Monday.
The proposal was based on the conclusions of a committee headed by Public Security Ministry Director General Rotem Peleg, with the recommendations accepted by Erdan.
The panel recommended shifting focus from criminal prosecution of users to administrative fines and educational campaigns. Criminal prosecution, Minister Erdan said in January, should only be used as a last resort.
The panel recommended switching the focus on marijuana usage from the criminal level to the educational one, and expanding responses to marijuana use beyond opening criminal files and prosecuting users.
According to the new policy, first-time offenders that are caught using marijuana in a public place will incur a fine of 1,000 shekels ($271) but the offender will not face criminal charges. The fine will be doubled on the second offense. The third offense will lead to probation, with the record of the offense only being expunged after a brief period. Only on the fourth offense will criminal charges be pressed.
The money from the fines will go to financing antidrug education and treatment.
According to the new policy, if a minor is caught using marijuana he would be criminally investigated only if he refuses to take part in a treatment program, Erdan said.
Erdan had said that Israel's marijuana arrest policy was reexamined due to legalization efforts around the world.
First-time offenders will face $270 fine if caught using marijuana in a public place, but criminal charges will only be brought if person re-offends four times.
Yaniv Kubovich
Mar 05, 2017 4:58 PM
A woman smokes during an event marking Israel's government's approval of a new policy to decriminalize personal marijuana use in Tel Aviv, Israel February 4, 2017. Baz Ratner, Reuters
- How cannabis became illegal in Israel in the first place
- The next battle in Israel’s weed wars: Legalizing growing marijuana for personal use
- Opinion Lighting up a joint as step toward solving Israeli society's ills
According to the proposal formulated by the Public Security and Justice ministries, any first-time offender caught using marijuana in public would receive a fine rather than face criminal action.
>> Get all updates on Israel: Download our free App, and Subscribe >>
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who led the reform, said that "the government's approval is an important step on the way to implement the new policy, which will emphasize public information and treatment instead of criminal enforcement."
Sharing is caring. Spread the word
To implement the policy, an inter-ministerial team will be set up to propose amendments, regulations and the required changes to carry out the new policy.
>> Read more: How cannabis became illegal in Israel in the first place | Is marijuana kosher? | Meet the king of Israel's medical marijuana industry | Marijuana matzo balls: Jewish food gets a green twist >>
MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), the chairwoman of the Knesset Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, said that "this is an important step, but not the end of the road. It sends a message that a million of Israelis who consume marijuana aren’t criminals. We will carry on following the details in the committee and ensure that the change is implemented."
Erdan is set to attend a special committee discussion on the decriminalization reform on Monday.
The proposal was based on the conclusions of a committee headed by Public Security Ministry Director General Rotem Peleg, with the recommendations accepted by Erdan.
The panel recommended shifting focus from criminal prosecution of users to administrative fines and educational campaigns. Criminal prosecution, Minister Erdan said in January, should only be used as a last resort.
The panel recommended switching the focus on marijuana usage from the criminal level to the educational one, and expanding responses to marijuana use beyond opening criminal files and prosecuting users.
According to the new policy, first-time offenders that are caught using marijuana in a public place will incur a fine of 1,000 shekels ($271) but the offender will not face criminal charges. The fine will be doubled on the second offense. The third offense will lead to probation, with the record of the offense only being expunged after a brief period. Only on the fourth offense will criminal charges be pressed.
The money from the fines will go to financing antidrug education and treatment.
According to the new policy, if a minor is caught using marijuana he would be criminally investigated only if he refuses to take part in a treatment program, Erdan said.
Erdan had said that Israel's marijuana arrest policy was reexamined due to legalization efforts around the world.
