Is Marijuana Legal In Israel? Recreational Marijuana Use Decriminalized, But Users Will Be Fined

The Israeli government approved the proposal of the Public Security and Justice ministries Sunday, to decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana in the country. According to their proposal Israelis using marijuana for the first time in public will be fined rather than facing criminal action like arrest or prosecution.

"On the one hand we are opening ourselves up to the future. On the other hand, we understand the dangers and will try to balance the two," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet before the approval, BBC reported.

Under the new policy, which still requires a parliamentary ratification, if a first-time offender is seen using marijuana in public, he or she will face a $271 fine. The fine will double the second time if an offender is caught using marijuana in public. Probation will be applicable on the third offense and criminal action will be taken on the fourth. The money collected from the fines will be used to finance treatment and anti-drug education.

An inter-ministerial team will be apppointed in order to implement the new policy and they would also be responsible for the proposal of any kind of amendments, regulations that will be essential to carry out the new policy properly.

"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," Israeli politician Tamar Zandberg, the chairwoman of the Knesset Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse told Haaretz.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who had been leading this 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."

"Israel cannot shut its eyes to the changes being made across the world in respect to marijuana consumption and its effects," Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked told BBC.

Israel has been one of leading countries when it comes to medical marijuana research. Earlier in February, Israel's legislature made the export of medical marijuana legal and the country's Ministerial Committee for Legislation said it would be beneficial for Israel's agricultural sector.

United States made recreational marijuana legal in 29 states but it has also been decriminalized in 31 countries.