PhotoJERUSALEM — Israel, which has been at the forefront of research into medical marijuana and the drug’s commercialization, took a major step on Sunday toward officially decriminalizing its recreational use. “On the one hand, we are opening ourselves up to the future,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the cabinet. Under the new rules, people caught using marijuana publicly a first time would face a fine of about $270 rather than criminal charges. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyICan: Israel-Cannabis, a venture fund and technology incubator for start-ups in the medical marijuana business, praised the decision. The cabinet decision on Sunday did not address that issue.

Source: New York Times March 05, 2017 20:26 UTC