Occupied Jerusalem- With the continuous rise in traumas, psychological crises, and post-traumatic stress disorders in Israeli society following the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation and the subsequent war on the Gaza Strip, a significant increase has been recorded in the Israeli use of medical cannabis, along with a growing demand for psychiatric medications and sedatives.
Since the "Al-Aqsa Flood" on October 7, 2023, the number of new medical prescriptions for cannabis, or "cannabis", increased by 250%, with a notable surge in its usage among Israelis during the war.
In addition to the rise in medical cannabis prescriptions issued by official Health Ministry-affiliated patient care funds, volunteers distributed cannabis to thousands of "survivors" from the events of October 7 and those displaced from the "Gaza Envelope" settlements.
Side Effects
These findings were unveiled in an investigative report by "Zaman Yisrael" (Time of Israel) website, where statements from doctors treating settlers suffering from post-traumatic stress, and testimonies from many of them spoke of significant improvement thanks to the use of medical cannabis.
Despite the psychological improvement for traumatized patients as a result of its use, some doctors and therapists consider overuse to be harmful to patients, causing complications and side effects. The Israeli Ministry of Health opposed the use of medical cannabis for treating traumatic events and is trying to limit its consumption.
During the first weeks of the war, Shuli Cohen, a resident of the Sderot settlement in the south, volunteered to distribute medical cannabis to the residents of the Gaza Envelope, telling the website that "thousands from the Envelope who regularly consumed it were stuck without access to it and lacked medical prescriptions to purchase it."
She explained that she participated in the volunteer distribution of medical cannabis to the Envelope residents "when they felt they needed cannabis more than ever due to the shock and psychological distress."
Medical cannabis companies and pharmacies donated substantial amounts, and as journalist Tani Goldstein, who prepared the investigative report, notes, "Volunteers created a 'Green Emergency Room' that collected medical cannabis and cannabis from donors, sending volunteers to deliver it to the displaced in vehicles dubbed 'Cannabis Ambulances'."
Cohen volunteered in these vehicles, even traveling at the onset of the war to the border settlements in the Gaza Envelope to distribute cannabis to those in need, accompanied by two volunteer armed security guards from the private guard teams known as "Brothers in Arms."
The "Green Emergency Room" operated for two months and distributed cannabis to about 1,400 displaced people from the Gaza Envelope, with their activity carried out with the approval and supervision of the Ministry of Health, allowing volunteers to distribute to any patient with a cannabis permit, even without a medical prescription for it.
"Huge Jump"
Given the state of emergency and the impossibility of receiving medical services in the Gaza Envelope and Western Negev areas, the Ministry of Health extended – for 3 months – all medical cannabis licenses that had expired in October. They also allowed displaced settlers from the south to renew lost cannabis permits remotely, via email.
During the war, according to what was documented by journalist Goldstein, "there was a huge jump in the demand for medical cannabis in Israel. The Ministry of Health granted two thousand new cannabis permits in October and three thousand in November, compared to about a thousand permits the previous month before the war."
Activists – advocating for the legalization of cannabis and medical cannabis – argue that these medical approvals are just the tip of the iceberg, as most applications are either refused or delayed for a long time, with many waiting for approval and licensing from the Israeli Ministry of Health.
Many who use cannabis and medical cannabis, legally or illegally, have stated to the website that it helps them cope with mental distress during crises and shock. However, the Israeli journalist says, "Doctors are divided on whether the use of cannabis in these circumstances is beneficial, unhelpful, or even harmful."
Doctors found ample evidence suggesting that medical cannabis could help in dealing with post-traumatic syndrome, but Goldstein says, "This has not yet been proven in a proper scientific study. The emergency state and the painful situation are not reasons to obtain a permit to use cannabis in Israel."
Some doctors – interviewed by the website – agree that cannabis and medical cannabis help treat post-traumatic disorders, but oppose using it to treat those currently suffering psychological distress due to the repercussions of the surprise attack and war, arguing that these individuals are not in a post-traumatic phase but are experiencing psychological disorders.
Disorders and Traumas
Other doctors believe that cannabis and medical cannabis aid in treating psychological disorders resulting from the war and support expanding its use. They attribute this to many Israelis currently living with post-traumatic stress because the war on Gaza triggers past traumas, and in the post-traumatic phase, it seems that cannabis is helpful, as reported by the website.
Following what Israelis call "Black Saturday" events (October 7) and at the beginning of the war on Gaza, the medical establishment within the Ministry of Health adopted a liberal approach and relaxed restrictions. However, with the rise in demand for cannabis and medical cannabis, it reverted to its traditional approach in issuing licenses and dispensing medical prescriptions to patients suffering from trauma and psychological disorders.
On October 18, 2023, Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer (Director of the Mental Health Department at the Israeli Ministry of Health) and Eli Fruchter (Chairman of the National Council for Post-Traumatic Disorder) published a letter to doctors and patients titled "Warning Against Using Cannabis as a Means to Cope With Painful Events."
As the third month of the war on Gaza began, patient aid organizations reported that since the Ministry of Health's letter was published, doctors approved fewer new licenses for the use of medical cannabis and extended fewer existing licenses.
According to Eli Levy, the CEO of the "Almala" Association – which provides diagnosis, training, medical and mental support to about 4,000 patients using cannabis and medical cannabis – the Ministry of Health's order has made it difficult for doctors to issue cannabis permits and prescriptions. Consequently, Levy says, "(There are) vast numbers of people who were traumatized, their worlds shattered, attacked, lost loved ones, displaced from their homes, returned from reserve duty in the war, and individuals for whom this entire horror served as a catalyst for previous traumas, and their lives turned upside down."
