Israeli cannabis industry chief welcomes UK review on medical marijuana

Saul Kay of iCAN heralds British government's decision to grant a 12-year-old boy with severe epilepsy access to medical cannabis

A senior figure in Israel’s cannabis industry has applauded the British Government’s decision to review the laws surrounding the use of medical cannabis after a 12-year old boy with severe epilepsy was hospitalised after his cannabis oil was seized.

Saul Kaye of iCAN Israel-Cannabis, which develops cannabis-related products, hosts trade conferences around the world and campaigns for better laws, welcomed news this week that the Home Office had granted Billy Caldwell temporary access to medical cannabis.

However, he said: “It does not do enough to address the needs of patients across the UK. Israel currently has 35,000 patients using medical cannabis. So we say congratulations on the first patient, but the UK has a long way to go.”

Israel’s regulators are seen as pioneers in establishing a legal framework that includes doctors, patients, growers, chemists and scientists, and may be well-positioned to advise their British counterparts.

Kaye, whose Cannatech conference came to London late last year, said: “We will continue to push for medical cannabis regulation. We wish Billy and his family well.”