Criticism of this policy was published more than 40 years ago.Under current Israeli Ministry of Education procedures, and for decades, teachers and school principals who have received any report of their student engaging in any substances.

These defined as “Illegal-drugs” under the local “Dangerous Drugs Ordinance,” including cannabis, are required to report to the juvenile probation officer and the police.The relatively new Education Minister, Yifat Shasha-Bitton, had announced that a change in this matter might be expected soon.

“The issue is on the table, and we are currently holding discussions on the matter ahead of a decision that will be made soon,” she said.Existing procedures that require teachers and principals to provide details about their students to the police are based on a particular document published by the ministry called “Student Care Procedure Involved in Drug Use.” This document defines the situations in which the school principal is obligated to report pupils or a student using or selling drugs.

Thus, for example, it is explained what the school principal should do in a situation where “the school principal has received specific information from some sources, about his students involved in drugs.”.Should this be a fact, the circular states, “the principal shall provide the information he had received to the police” In addition, the principal must “inform the student and his parents that a notice has been sent to the police as well.

However, teachers and principals in schools throughout the country were not always happy to carry out the questioned procedure. As early as May 8, 1977, the Ministry of Education sought to release teachers from the obligation to report drug use in schools. According to a report published in the “Davar” newspaper, Ministry of Education officials want to release the educators from the obligation to report any student’s drug smoking and request that the police give the educators status that is also given to social workers.

“ The same report also states that “the duty to report to the police disrupts the dialogue between teachers and pupils. Many students smoke cannabis because of social pressure; they must be persuaded to refuse even if the environment makes fun of them. Reporting to the police, in any case, may interfere with the fight against drug abuse.

”Since this publication’s release, it has not been decided on an official change in the policy that obligated the school principal to report to the police in such cases.  To note, there was quite a few educationally staff who avoided reporting cannabis use on school grounds and preferred to resolve the issue through a dialogue with the student and his family.

Sour Diesel Cannabis in Israeli Gas Station

Sour Diesel: An Israeli gas company intends to establish a network of pharmacies at the beginning of 2022 that will market medical cannabis at gas stations throughout the country.

Sonol, one of Israel's two largest gas companies, is expected to set up a chain of pharmacies selling medical cannabis at their gas stations. About 30 million NIS (approximately 6.7 million GBP) will be invested in constructing the activity, which will officially begin in early 2022.According to the report in Israeli media outlets, the first two branches will be opened at the gas stations in Eilat (a city at the southern border with Egypt) and the city of Modi'in (at the center of Israel).

In addition to medical cannabis products, pharmacies at gas stations will also sell "regular" drugs and pharma products.Furthermore, medical cannabis activity will also be established in various cities near the branches of the "City Market" supermarket chain, which Sonol recently acquired.

It seems that the joining of Sonol to the local cannabis market is coming as part of a trend of powerful and wealthy entities in the field. For example, at the beginning of 2022, similar activity is expected to open in the "Good Pharm" pharmacy chain, owned by "Rami Levy" - one of Israeli's largest supermarket networks.Nir Galili, CEO of Sonol, said: "Sonol's entry into the field of cannabis is a piece of excellent news to the medical cannabis consumers in Israel.

The area of medical cannabis has gained momentum in the country. It enjoys regulatory support that will allow it to continue to evolve and be a significant growth engine for us, this part of an experience that Sonol offers the customer, which includes refueling, retail, and other services along the way. "

Written and Published By Ziv Genesove in Weed World Magazine Issue 155

Image: Unsplashed Cole Keister