After decades of persecution and incrimination against hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens whose entire sin was possession of cannabis for personal use, starting of the beginning of last April, Israeli citizens can smoke cannabis without fear of criminal record.

According to the new procedures, which have been implemented as regulations, the sell or cultivation of cannabis is still prohibited without a license, but possession of a small quantity for personal use, i.e., up to 15 grams, can lead to a maximum penalty of 500 NIS (approximately 120 GBP) without any criminal registration.

When it comes to actual consumption and not just a simple possession, and if the consumption is in a public place (or private place that can be distinguished from a public place), the fine will be 1,000 NIS (approximately 240 GBP). The new policy does not apply to young people under 18, soldiers and security service workers.

This policy is more lenient than the previous model, which has been in force for 3 years since it was implemented on 1.4.19, according to which fines of 1,000 NIS and 2,000 NIS were imposed on anyone caught with cannabis the first two times (provided he did not commit an ancillary offense). According to the new approach, in any conditions - even if a citizen is caught for the fifth or even tenth time, the maximum penalty against him will be a monetary fine only. However, it should be noted that the state reserves the right to file indictments in exceptional cases.

It is also worth to mention that in the new procedure there is no automatic deletion of criminal records for those who have already received such a record for self-use of cannabis in the past, but there is an intention to implement such an option later. In the meantime, a deletion request can be submitted, which is likely to be accepted.

This is of course great news for hundreds of thousands of Israelis, as a criminal record brings with it severe harm to the person who carries it and makes it difficult for him in legal proceedings, employment, and various administrative proceedings.

Such a model of Decriminalization, although required, is not perfect. In contrast to the legalization model that regulates supervised production procedures, in-store trading, the transfer of tax money for the benefit of the public and allowing home-grown cannabis for self-use, the Decriminalization model leaves the black market intact. According to studies from the last decade, the illegal cannabis market in Israel is worth at least a few billion NIS a year, and can accordingly yield the state between hundreds of millions to several billion shekels from taxation on the one hand, and save a great amount of money on policing and enforcement expenses on the other.

Currently, the Israeli government cannot take the extra step and approve full legalization and regulation, in light of the strong opposition imposed by the coalition member of the Islamic orthodox "Raam" party, which warns that if such a move is implemented, it will lead to the dissolution of the government.