As Israel certifies 100 new doctors to help expedite marijuana licensing, the country continues to be a leader on the global weed scene. The new development, which took place today, should make the country’s medical marijuana program much more accessible to patients.

Israel Streamlines Medical Marijuana

Earlier today, the country officially certified 100 doctors to participate in the medical marijuana program. The change will help streamline the entire program.

Before today, Dr. Michael Dor was the only doctor in the country with authority to give patients a medical marijuana card. Dor is also the deputy director of the country’s Medical Cannabis Unit.

But now, Dor will be joined by 100 new doctors. With so many more doctors giving out medical marijuana prescriptions, it should be easier than ever for patients to get their medicine.

But before today, it was a long and cumbersome process. To start off, patients were referred to a specialist at a pain clinic. Then, the specialist had to give them a recommendation for medical weed.

The recommendation was then sent to the Israeli Health Ministry. Doctors working in the ministry’s Medical Cannabis Unit reviewed the recommendation.

Finally, if the recommendation was approved, it was sent to Dor. And as soon as he gave it his signature, the patient would be allowed to access and use medical cannabis.

Not surprisingly, this entire process could take a long time. In fact, sources in Israel said it could sometimes take a year or longer before a patient could finally get their medicine.

Additionally, the old system also had economic implications. If a patient didn’t want to wait for the entire process to play out, she could pay an extra 1,400 NIS (roughly $395.00 in the U.S.) to go to a private clinic.

But by certifying 100 new doctors, the entire process will become much quicker and much more accessible. Starting tomorrow, all those newly-certified doctors will be able to prescribe medical marijuana directly to their patients.

Final Hit: Israel Certifies 100 New Doctors To Help Expedite Marijuana Licensing

Israel has already built a reputation for being a leader on the international cannabis scene. The country has invested heavily in researching weed. That research has spurred a number of tech innovations as well.

And now, as Israel certifies 100 new doctors to help expedite marijuana licensing, the country is working to make medical weed more accessible to patients.

Starting tomorrow, patients will no longer need to see a specialist. Similarly, recommendations will no longer need to be approved by a national committee.

Instead, each of the newly-licensed doctors can prescribe weed directly to their patients. For their part, patients will pay a fixed fee of 250 NIS (roughly $70).

This will also do away with any potential economic disparities that may have existed earlier. All patients will pay the same flat fee for their medical card.