Tag: Israel

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Researchers In Israel: Cancer Patients “Improved Significantly” After Medical Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on June 13, 2022. Posted in Science.

Cancer is absolutely one of the worst things on this planet. If you or a loved one has suffered from cancer then you know firsthand how awful it is.

Scientists and doctors have worked countless hours over many decades to try to get to the bottom of what causes cancer in an attempt to try to prevent it, as well as working to determine what treatments are effective for people that develop cancer.

The cannabis plant is often the subject of cancer treatment research, with quite a bit of research determining that cannabis seems to be beneficial to some extent. That is what researchers in Israel seemed to find when they recently conducted a medical cannabis study involving oncology patients.

“The use of medical cannabis (MC) to treat cancer-related symptoms is rising. However, there is a lack of long-term trials to assess the benefits and safety of MC treatment in this population. In this work, we followed up prospectively and longitudinally on the effectiveness and safety of MC treatment.” the researchers stated.

“Oncology patients reported on multiple symptoms before and after MC treatment initiation at one-, three-, and 6-month follow-ups. Oncologists reported on the patients’ disease characteristics. Intention-to-treat models were used to assess changes in outcomes from baseline. MC treatment was initiated by 324 patients and 212, 158 and 126 reported at follow-ups.” the researchers stated regarding the study’s methodology.

“Most outcome measures improved significantly during MC treatment for most patients (p < 0.005). Specifically, at 6 months, total cancer symptoms burden declined from baseline by a median of 18%, from 122 (82-157) at baseline to 89 (45-138) at endpoint (−18.98; 95%CI= −26.95 to −11.00; p < 0.001). Reported adverse effects were common but mostly non-serious and remained stable during MC treatment.” the researchers determined.

“The results of this study suggest that MC treatment is generally safe for oncology patients and can potentially reduce the burden of associated symptoms with no serious MC-related adverse effects.” the researchers concluded.

Feel free to share the results of this study with people that you know. As always, make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any medical treatment, including medical cannabis treatment.

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Are More Potent Cannabis Strains On The Way?

Written by Marguerite Arnold on June 9, 2022. Posted in Science.

Israeli researchers are able to increase the levels of all kinds of cannabinoids by introducing a plant-based virus to the grow cycle

The boogie man of the modern legalization movement is the oft-repeated statement that what is available today is “not your grandparents’ weed.” Namely that modern strains are “more potent” than strains available in the 1960s and 1970s.

While this is certainly a hard claim to verify anecdotally since the modern cannabis industry has a much wider variety of cultivars as well as strain “strength,” genetically modified and engineered new strains were always going to be part of the mix.

However, there has been an interesting development in Israel, home of the world’s most cutting-edge research on cannabis. Researchers have now been able to successfully engineer and cultivate a plant with up to 17% higher THC and 25% higher CBG levels, plus 30% more terpenes.

Further, for the first time, it appears possible to tailor individual strains plus the ratio between them. The method that the researchers used influences the production of active substances in the growing plant. They developed an innovative technology that allows a specially engineered virus to “infect” the plant to create the chemical reactions that produced custom levels of desired cannabinoids in their research crops.

The medical impact alone is significant. Not to mention a much more efficient use of space – which is even more significant when cultivating inside. However, this is research that won’t stay inside either a lab or even corporate cultivation for long. Home growers will be able to use this technology too.

Custom cultivated cannabis seems just around the corner.

Out of the Lab and Influencing the Industry?

One of the other really interesting aspects of this development is its potential impact on “whole-plant” medicine. In the world of pharma, individual compounds (like THC or CBD isolates) have been a major focus of the formal pharma part of the industry – and for several reasons.

The first is the stability of strains themselves. Growing cannabis with consistent levels of any cannabinoid is not easy to do on a corporate scale (as many commercial growers, even with pharmaceutical plant experience have discovered). Using this innovative technology would certainly help increase the stability of crops, no matter what kind of seeds were used.

Beyond this, the impact of highly personalized medicine, created not by a large company but by start-ups and even individuals, is the cusp of a revolution most in the industry hoped they would see sooner rather than later.

The other side of this kind of technological development is that in some ways it is a direct threat to biodiversity – which is also a huge industry issue.

The future most certainly, is “here.”

Israeli Medical Cannabis Seeds Legally Shipped To U.S. In Historic First

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business.

In a historic first, medical cannabis seeds were legally exported this week from Israel to the United States according to Israel’s Agriculture Ministry. Last August Israel’s government reformed cannabis export laws to permit the legal export of medical cannabis seeds, with this week’s shipment to the United States serving as the culmination of many months of effort.

For many decades Israel has served as an international leader when it comes to medical cannabis research. After all, Israel is the home of famed chemist Raphael Mechoulam who is credited with being the first to isolate both CBD and THC back in 1963 and 1964 respectively. From the 1960s until fairly recently, Israel was one of the very few countries that even permitted large-scale cannabis research, let alone embraced it.

Heavily-Researched Cannabis Genetics

It’s not a leap to assume that Israel is sitting on some amazing cannabis genetics given the amount of research its scientists have conducted over so many years. What type of strain(s) were involved in Israel’s first legal cannabis seed exportation is unclear. Who will be on the receiving end of the shipment is also unclear. All that was referenced in the Israeli government’s announcement on that front was, “Upon arrival, the seeds will be examined by commercial hemp growers to verify their suitability for the US market.”

The specific seeds at the heart of this story sent from Israel to the United States originated from the BetterSeeds company. Per the BetterSeeds company’s website, “BetterSeeds makes use of genome editing technology (CRISPR-Cas9) in order to produce new varieties, incorporating game changing traits which are not today available across all crops due to the limitations of conventional breeding. Genome editing technologies make precise and rapid breeding possible by introducing specific, controlled and preselected changes in the plant genome.”

BetterSeeds produces more than just cannabis seeds and appears to produce seeds for nearly every type of major crop imaginable. I know that when I read ‘genome editing technologies’ it gave me a bit of heartburn, and I know that I am likely not alone in feeling that way. However, the seeds that were sent to the United States are proprietary in nature, so we may never know for sure what they are and/or how they may have been altered in some manner.

A Small, Significant Milestone

This first-ever legal shipment of cannabis seeds from Israel out to the international community is worth keeping in context. It is essentially a test run to help ensure that the shipment can be performed and completed in a way that complies with regulations in both Israel and the United States, as well as within evolving international cannabis policy (at least to some degree).

“The shipment is an experimental and initial shipment, after which contacts will be made regarding the continued export. This is a historic step as part of the implementation of Government Resolution No. 4490, which was updated last August to include the export of medical cannabis seeds from Israel, and could lead to the opening of additional international markets for Israeli exports and significantly advance the medical cannabis industry in Israel.” the Ministry stated in its press release.

“The opening of seed exports in the field of cannabis is expected to strengthen Israel’s position as having knowledge and expertise in the field of seeds. In addition, increasing the range of exports and expanding it to cannabis products, will enable the deepening of existing markets and penetration into new markets while riding on the growing wave of demand for cannabis products with medical-health value. Moreover, Israel is among the leading countries in seed research and development in general as well as medical cannabis in particular, and cannabis seed exports are expected to attract interest from various researchers around the world and further strengthen the field of research.” the Ministry also stated in its press release.

Obviously, this is not the first time that cannabis seeds have been shipped from one part of the world to another. It’s quite likely, if not guaranteed, that seeds from Israel have specifically made it from Israel to the United States in the past, albeit illegally. Still, this is a big milestone for a country that is sitting on a wealth of knowledge, experience, and other valuable assets, including genetics. Hopefully it leads to a much larger global involvement for Israel within the emerging international cannabis industry.

Are Cannabis Expungements On The Way In Israel?

Written by Johnny Green on March 7, 2022. Posted in Politics.

News surfaced out of Israel yesterday regarding big changes to Israel’s current cannabis policy. A temporary order is currently in place in Israel that prevents criminal charges from being applied to cannabis-only offenses in certain instances.

Israel’s government announced plans over the weekend to make that temporary policy permanent. Per Haaretz:

The Israeli government is considering decriminalizing recreational marijuana use and expunging the criminal records of those convicted of personal possession or use of cannabis, President Isaac Herzog and Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Sunday.

On approval of the new regulations, those with recreational-use convictions would be able to submit a request to have their records voided, while those with pending criminal proceedings would be able to contact the police with a request to drop the charges. The move, said the statement, is intended “to lift the criminal labeling and the stain that accompanies it” and to “complement” decriminalization regulations published last month.

Unfortunately, the new policy does not extend to people that were charged/convicted during military service or to minors. The new policy does extend to drug paraphernalia charges, albeit not if the case involves a member of the military or a minor.

The policy announcement was coupled with news that personal cannabis use and possession would be ‘completely decriminalized’ with a maximum fine of 1,000 shekels. Passage of the policy change is expected as early as this week, and implementation would be immediate.

Last week Israel announced plans to decriminalize CBD over the course of two years. It’s unclear how this latest announcement affects the proposed CBD policy change.

Israel Plans To Decriminalize CBD Two Years From Now

Written by Johnny Green on March 3, 2022. Posted in Politics.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is arguably the most popular cannabinoid on the planet right now, at least by some measures. For instance, over the course of the last year searches on Google for ‘CBD’ have far exceeded searches for ‘THC’.

Products infused with CBD can be found almost all over the planet these days it seems like, with CBD being infused into all types of products including edibles, topicals, and even fabrics. Unfortunately, CBD is still illegal in some countries, including in Israel.

Israel’s government recently announced plans to finally decriminalize CBD, however, it’s a policy change that is not going to happen any time soon. Per Haaretz:

The Health Ministry has begun the process of exempting CBD, or cannabidiol, one of the active ingredients in cannabis, from its list of dangerous drugs.

According to the ministry’s plan announced Monday, sales of the chemical substance, which is used in food, medical and cosmetic products, will be permitted in about two years, after authorities complete all the necessary preparations.

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said decriminalizing CBD was part of a greater push “for the regulation of the cannabis plant,” adding that “it is widely agreed [CBD] should not be classified as a dangerous drug.”

Israel has long served as an international leader when it comes to cannabis research, and it makes no sense why the country would have such a harsh approach to CBD. After all, CBD does not induce euphoria.

In the United States, where medical cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, hemp-derived CBD is legal and sold nationwide. CBD products are sold all over Europe. Even in Thailand, where people used to get the death penalty for cannabis offenses, CBD is legal nationwide.

Putting aside that CBD is still illegal in Israel, which is odd to say the least, why is it going to take two years before CBD is exempted from Israel’s list of dangerous drugs? For a country that is so progressive on cannabis policy in some ways, Israel is clearly on the wrong side of history when it comes to CBD.

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Israel’s Public Companies: An Overlooked Opportunity?

Written by Johnny Green on September 15, 2021. Posted in Business.

This article is based on an interview conducted by Laura Herschlag, partner in Teqa Capital

The first commercial medical cannabis cultivator was established in Israel in 2005 as a nonprofit organization. By 2016, eight licensed cultivators had been established to provide products to several thousand patients. Five years later, over 50 producers, and counting, serve close to 100,000 licensed patients.

In addition to cultivation, Israel’s cannabis ecosystem includes companies developing phytocannabinoid drugs, processes for lab based cannabinoid production, breeding platforms, and many other innovations implementing technologies such as AI, robotics, and computerized vision. However, only a handful of these companies have become public and most did so through reverse mergers on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE). Currently 11 pure cannabis play companies are traded on the TASE: Intercure, Together, Panaxia, Univo, Intelicanna, Pharmocann, Tikun Olam Cannbit, Seach Medical, Medivie, and Cannassure. Other public companies, such as Evogene, are involved in the cannabis space in addition to their key businesses.

Israeli companies are increasingly eyeing overseas markets. In February 2021, Kanabo became the first medical cannabis company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. IM Cannabis is double listed on the CSE and on NASDAQ. Intercure listed on the TSX through a SPAC and is preparing to list on NASDAQ. How do Israeli companies compare with their overseas counterparts as an investment opportunity? Shiry Eden, CEO and Founder of cannabis strategy and analysis firm NISHOT, believes investors may be missing out on a good deal. According to Eden, Israel’s public companies are undervalued compared to their overseas counterparts.

A comparison of revenue multiples reveals that Israeli companies with similar revenues as non-Israeli companies have significantly lower revenue multiples. For instance, Seach’s 2020 revenue ($11.4) was similar to Curaleaf’s ($12M) but the company is traded at only one fifth Curaleaf’s market cap. Intercure, with a bit less than half the 2020 revenue of Cronos ($20), has a revenue multiple of 13.8 compared to Cronos’ revenue multiple of 58.5.

Eden points to this discrepancy as an indication of the potential opportunity. She asserts that the following market trends will drive growth of Israeli companies in the near future:

1. Increasing revenue and profitability: Aggregate revenues of Israeli public companies grew 125% in the past year, mostly due to a doubling of the number of medical cannabis patients. Israeli companies, in general, have a positive EBITDA and net profit.

2. Israel’s medical market is growing: Currently serving 100,000 patients the Israeli medical cannabis market is expected to be twice as large within the next year or two.

3. A recreational market is imminent: Three parties in the new Israeli government coalition have included some form of legalization for cannabis in their platforms. The previous government had already moved to de-schedule CBD and the incoming government is expected to continue the process. Israeli companies are gearing up for this change. For example, Canndoc has signed an agreement with Charlotte’s Web to supply CBD products to the Israeli market.

4. Easing of export regulations: Recent updates to cannabis export regulations will facilitate an export market which, until now, has been highly restricted.

5. Industry consolidation: As the industry matures, Israeli companies will become attractive M&A targets for overseas players.

6. The emerging psychedelics market: Israeli cannabis companies, like their overseas counterparts, have already begun exploring the nascent psychedelic medicinals market as a potential for expanding their revenue streams.

Eden attributes the dearth of foreign investment in Israel’s public cannabis companies to a lack of awareness. She points out the decades of accumulated experience in medical cannabis that provides a unique capability to address the needs of patients. Israeli cultivation is known for its consistency in providing active ingredients that are associated with specific indications, such as CBD for children with autism. She believes that as exposure to Israel’s cannabis companies and ecosystem increases, Israel’s public cannabis companies will attract a growing number of investors seeking unique opportunities.

About Shiry Eden, CEO & Founder, NISHOT

NISHOT is a strategy and analysis firm focused on the global cannabis industry, serving as an advisor to Sela Cannabis, an Israeli global oriented mutual fund. Eden has over 20 years’ experience as an economist and strategic advisor for medium to large scale corporations in Israel with expertise in the capital markets. Eden holds an MBA from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Economics and Communications Hebrew University.

About Teqa Capital

Teqa Capital is a Swiss-Israel boutique consultancy that brings Israeli innovation to Swiss investors and business people. More information on Teqa Capital can be found via their website: www.teqacapital.com

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Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Now Has A Cannabis Index

Written by Johnny Green on December 29, 2020. Posted in Business.

For many years investing in the emerging cannabis industry was a very tricky thing for many reasons, not the least of which was that the cannabis industry was operating in a legal ‘grey area.’

Places such as Amsterdam and British Columbia were home to cannabis-based businesses like cannabis cafes that were ‘tolerated’ by local authorities.

Arguably the biggest evolution in the cannabis industry came in 1996 when voters in California legalized cannabis for medical use, which resulted in the exponential growth of medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivation operations throughout California.

For many years cannabis investments operated in those types of markets, and/or revolved around ancillary cannabis inventions and ideas. The reward was significant, however, so were the risks.

Zoom forward to today and there are far more options for investing in the emerging cannabis industry, including and especially cannabis stock investment options.

Multiple stock exchanges now allow cannabis company listings, including in Israel. Per The Jerusalem Post:

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange launched on Monday a new index for nine medical cannabis companies in an effort to boost trade in the burgeoning, yet not quite mature, sector.

The new index includes nine companies that are “primarily engaged in the fields of research, cultivation, sale or production and marketing of medical cannabis products”, the stock exchange said.

Israel is rapidly taking its rightful spot as an international cannabis leader. The Middle Eastern nation has long been an international leader for cannabis research, but the country’s medical cannabis program was limited for many years.

Now Israel not only has plans to become a major exporter of cannabis but also has plans to legalize cannabis for adult-use next year. If you are looking to invest in cannabis, you should definitely keep an eye on Israel to see how things develop.

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Is Israel On The Verge Of Legalizing Cannabis For Adult Use?

Written by Johnny Green on November 18, 2020. Posted in Politics.

At the beginning of 2020, it was expected that at least one, if not multiple countries, would legalize cannabis for adult use. Mexico seemed like the most likely candidate given the fact that Mexico’s Supreme Court mandated it via a 2018 ruling.

However, once the pandemic hit in 2020 lawmakers in Mexico pushed for an extension on the Court’s deadline to pass legalization legislation, for a second time, and that request was granted.

Lawmakers in Mexico have until the end of the year to comply with the mandate, but so far have failed to pass a legalization measure. It’s unclear what will happen if/when the latest deadline cannot be met.

Another country that was high (no pun intended) on people’s radar when it came to cannabis legalization in 2020 was New Zealand. Voters in New Zealand got to vote on a legalization measure in October.

Polling was all over the place leading up to the vote, with some polls indicating that the measure would pass, which no doubt led to some cannabis supporters being optimistic about its passage. Unfortunately, the measure was voted down.

One country that was likely not on people’s watch list is Israel. However, it is being reported that an adult-use legalization measure is about to be proposed. Per Times of Israel:

“A governmental committee tasked with reviewing Israel’s cannabis laws is reportedly set to recommend full legalization in a report due to be published this week.

The inter-ministerial committee made up of representatives from the Israel Police, the Public Security Ministry and the Health Ministry will recommend that the government continue efforts to decriminalize cannabis on the way to full legalization.”

Israel has long been an international leader when it comes to medical cannabis, especially from a science and research perspective. Non-medical cannabis has been decriminalized in Israel since 2017.

Per the previously cited article, as many as 27% of all adults in Israel report using cannabis, which if true, is obviously significant.

The legalization winds of change are picking up around the globe, and while it’s unlikely that Israel will legalize before the end of 2020 (time is quickly running out), it’s a safe bet that the country will legalize cannabis sooner rather than later.

Israel’s Ministerial Committee On Legislation Advances Cannabis Legalization Bills

Written by Johnny Green on June 24, 2020. Posted in Politics.

Cannabis legalization is on the move throughout the globe. As it stands right now, only two countries have legalized cannabis for adult use (Uruguay and Canada), however, several other countries are moving in the right direction when it comes to pushing for cannabis legalization.

Two other countries, Mexico and Italy, have seen court decisions rendered which declared cannabis prohibition unconstitutional, so those two countries will join the list of legalized nations once they get measures passed and implemented.

Another nation, Israel, could join the list of legalized countries sooner rather than later. Per JPost:

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation decided on Sunday to advance two separate bills that would legalize cannabis, guaranteeing the coalition’s support for them in the Knesset.

The bills were submitted by Likud MK Sharren Haskel and Blue and White MK Ram Shefa. Haskel said she has fought for the bill for five years but her persistence on behalf of what she said are more than a million cannabis users paid off.

Israel has a long history when it comes to cannabis research and medical cannabis policy. However, it has been slow to move towards full legalization, as Likud MK Sharren Haskel pointed out.

If/when Israel legalizes cannabis for adults, it will hopefully encourage other countries to follow suit. Cannabis prohibition is a failed public policy, both inside the borders of Israel, and beyond.