The Volcani Center, which operates under the broader umbrella of the Agriculture Ministry, is in the process of building a National Center for Research in Medical Cannabis.

While both Israel and California are leaders in medical cannabis, both programs can still be improved.

With its government’s approval, Israel has been a pioneer in medical cannabis research and development for more than 50 years.

The Startup Nation’s Tel Aviv hub opened its doors on Monday to Israel’s first ever international conference on innovation in the medical cannabis industry.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan announces support for new policy for enforcing marijuana use, which favors fines and educational initiatives, with criminal prosecution only as a last resort.

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.

Israel could be just six months away from allowing general practitioners to prescribe cannabis, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman said Wednesday.

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel on Sunday announced that Israel would begin exporting medical marijuana abroad, weeks after the government approved measures to make medical cannabis more easily accessible to patients in Israel.

After some success in using substance to treat epileptics, researchers to check effect of cannabis oils on individuals with severe behavioral problems.

Israel’s Health Ministry is moving ahead on a comprehensive plan on medical cannabis that would lift many restrictions that currently make life difficult for patients, doctors, growers and marketers of the plant.

There is anecdotal evidence that marijuana’s main non-psychoactive compound — cannabidiol or CBD — helps autistic children in ways no other medication has.

Israel’s medical marijuana program is a stunning success when it comes to treating people for pain and nausea, according to a study presented at the International Jerusalem Conference on Health Policy.

Already a pioneer in high-tech and cutting-edge agriculture, Israel is starting to attract American companies looking to bring medical marijuana know-how to a booming market back home.