History of Medical Marijuana: 5 Key Dates in Israelis Using Pot for Healing

From the early research work in the 1960s looking at marijuana's medicinal properties, to the current vanguard of opening up medical marijuana permits for thousands of patients, Israel has led the way in using the plant to help improve health conditions.

Here are five key dates for Israelis using pot for healing.

1. Medical marijuana was approved for use in Israel in 1999, iMarijuana.com reported.

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2. Medicinal marijuana use is not illegal if a person has a permit or license from the country's Ministry of Health, which began the program providing free marijuana to those with certain health conditions in 2007, iMarijuana.com said.

3. In 2009, lawmakers in Israel expanded the country's medical marijuana program, according to NORML, an organization that advocates for legalizing marijuana use. That the same year saw the the first hospital in Israel, Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, receive authorization to treat its patients with cannabis.

4. In 2011, the Israel government officially recognized marijuana's therapeutic uses, NORML noted.

5. Israel has not only provided research funding for medical marijuana breakthroughs but has created a state-run distribution program, MECHKAR, where by 2013, eight pot farms were cultivating medical marijuana for patients approved by he state, Salon reported.

By 2015, more than 18,000 patients had received permits from the government to use medical marijuana for everything from PTSD, to Crohn's Disease to chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, Haaretz said.

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