Marijuana Users in Israel to Face Fine Rather Than Criminal Charge

Marijuana users in Israel will be fined rather than arrested and prosecuted, Haaretz reports.

The Israeli government voted to approve the new proposal on Sunday.

"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.

Under the new policy, which must still be ratified by parliament, a first-time offender caught using marijuana in public will face a $271 fine. The fines get higher with each offense -- the charge will be doubled on the second transgression while the third offense leads to probation. Criminal charges will be pressed on the fourth offense.

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

In Israel, marijuana use for medical purposes has been allowed since the early 1990s but recreational use has always been illegal. Cannabis use is fairly common in Isreal, and the country has been a leader in research for medical issues. 

Recreational marijuana is legal in 28 states in the United States and has been decriminalized in 31 countries. 

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