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Medical Cannabis for Mental Health Conditions

Olga Kagan, Director of Permit Issuance, Medical Cannabis Unit
13 August 2025

Cannabis is not a registered drug ("medicine"), and its safety and effectiveness for treating medical conditions have not yet been proven. However, there is evidence that it can help people with certain medical conditions feel better and lessen their pain. Israel is the first country in the world to allow medical cannabis to be used to treat patients, and each application for a medical cannabis permit is carefully considered.

People with mental health conditions and their partners, family, and friends can go through a lot of pain because of their condition and emotional problems. Some people with mental health conditions can feel better after using medical cannabis. For each medical use (indication), there are certain requirements that must be met in order for the patient to get a permit. Specialist psychiatrists are the only ones who can grant a cannabis therapy permit. To obtain the permit, the treating psychiatrist must conduct a medical checkup in accordance with the permit's requirements and at the psychiatrist's discretion.

Medical conditions that qualify for medical cannabis therapy

There are three mental health conditions that make a patient qualify for medical cannabis therapy, or disorders that require a psychiatrist's endorsement:

  1. People over the age of 18 diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  2. People over the age of 18 diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and have trouble with daily tasks.
  3. People diagnosed with dementia who also have behavioral disorders.

Contra-indications for medical cannabis therapy

  • Active psychosis.
  • History of psychosis.
  • Severe anxiety.
  • A strong history of mental illness in a first-degree family member, especially in people younger than 30.
  • History of addiction or drug abuse.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding person.

Having emotional problems and a mental health condition can cause suffering for both the person with the mental health condition and their partners, family, and friends. In some cases, cannabis can help them feel better.

Medical conditions that qualify for medical cannabis therapy

There are three approved mental health conditions that qualify for medical cannabis therapy or disorders that require a psychiatrist's endorsement:

  1. People over the age of 18 diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  2. People over the age of 18 diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and have trouble with daily tasks.
  3. People diagnosed with dementia who also have behavioral disorders.

Patients diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome

Endorsement for medical cannabis therapy

Although Tourette is a neurological disorder, people who have it also suffer from a mental condition, so a psychiatrist's endorsement is required. The endorsement should be submitted by the treating neurologist, along with an endorsement from a psychiatrist who saw the patient.

Criteria

A person with Tourette syndrome who has a major functional disorder in their daily life.

Permit, follow-ups, and monitoring

During the first year of therapy, the permit will only be good for three months at a time. Renewal of the permit will depend on a joint test and the endorsement of both the treating neurologist and psychiatrist. Starting with the second year of therapy, the permit will be valid for up to one year at a time and will depend on the endorsement of both the treating neurologist and a psychiatrist.

Dementia-Related Behaviors

Endorsement for medical cannabis therapy

A geriatrics, psychiatry, or neurology specialist will issue an endorsement for therapy for dementia patients who have a behavioral disorder (major neurocognitive disorder). If the patient is home-bound, a palliative doctor can also issue an endorsement. Before issuing the endorsements, the doctors will conduct an examination in order to diagnose medical conditions that can manifest as behavioral disorders that respond to therapy, such as: metabolic toxins, infectious and inflammatory conditions, sudden neurological diseases that are not chronic, etc.

Criteria
  • A physician monitors the patient continuously.
  • The patient will show proof that they have repeatedly complained about behavioral problems.
  • Proof that all other therapy options have been exhausted.

Contraindications for medical cannabis therapy

In the following situations, a permit for medical cannabis therapy will not be issued:

  • Active psychosis.
  • History of psychosis.
  • Severe anxiety.
  • A strong history of mental illness in a first-degree family member, especially in people younger than 30.
  • History of addiction or drug abuse.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding person.

Note: This list is updated periodically (in Hebrew), and there may be other reasons why medical cannabis should not be used, depending on the specifics of each patient's case, such as after taking other medicines or drugs at the same time.

Medical Cannabis in Israel

Israel is the world leader in using medical cannabis to treat patients for the medical conditions listed above. The law classifies cannabis as a "controlled substance." However, the Ministry of Health acknowledges that cannabis can help patients feel better, even though it is not a registered drug ("medicine"). You should know that the effectiveness  and safety of medical cannabis in treating medical conditions have not yet been proven. However, there is evidence that it can help people with certain medical conditions feel better and lessen their pain. The Ministry of Health wants to help people who suffer, so they consider each and every application for a medical cannabis permit.