Marijuana Decriminalized in Israel
First time offenders will only receive a fine
The Israeli cabinet has approved the decriminalization of marijuana on Sunday reports Haaretz.
Under the reform, first time offenders caught using marijuana in public will be subject to a fine of 1,000 shekels ($271) but will face no criminal charge. The fine will double for second time offenders and third time offenders will receive probation. If there is a fourth time offence, the offender will then face criminal charges.
The money from the fines will go towards funding anti-drug education and treatment.
The reform was led by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan who said the approval was “an important step on the way to implement the new policy which will emphasize public information and treatment instead of criminal enforcement.”
Erdan also said that the recent move to decriminalize marijuana came from marijuana legalization efforts around the world.
The efforts to legalize marijuana for recreational or medical purposes have been successful in countries such as the U.S and Mexico. In Thailand, use of marijuana is illegal and possession of marijuana in Thailand carries a maximum sentence of 1 year and/or a fine of up to 10,000 Baht.
Read more here
Related articles:
Mexico Senate Approves Marijuana Legalization
Georgia Eases Penalties on Possession of Marijuana
Related videos:
