Cabinet ministers will vote Sunday on accepting the recommendation of the Anti-Drug Authority to decriminalize marijuana, according to Justice minister Ayelet Shaked.
Writing on Twitter, Shaked says “decriminalization is an important change that will stop thousands of normal people from being considered criminals.”
The proposal, which will dramatically change the way the Israeli penal code treats private and recreational use of the drug, is being put forward by Shaked and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked attends a meeting of her Jewish Home faction, January 2, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Under the proposal, home use and possession of marijuana will carry no punishment but those caught smoking in public could be subject to a series of punitive measures. First-time offenders would be charged a NIS 1,000 ($265) fine but would not have a criminal case filed them. That sum would be doubled on the second offense.
Those caught for a third time could still escape prosecution on condition they accept a number of possible measures, including loss of their gun or driving license and participation in a rehabilitation program. Only those caught smoking in public on a fourth occasion would be subject to automatic indictment.
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