The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the export of its first medical cannabis seeds. This demonstrates the country's intention to become a major player in the global cannabis market. The shipment has been planned for a year and contains seeds from local company BetterSeeds, which has a research license from the Ministry of Health. The seeds will be examined upon arrival to see if they are suitable for the U.S. market. According to Agriculture Minister Oded Forer: "The export of cannabis seeds invites us to expand the diversity of Israeli agricultural exports and strengthens local agriculture. It also leverages Israel's relative advantage in a global industry that is still considered in its infancy." Thus, "contrary to popular belief, the cannabis industry in Israel has been active in the research field for decades, but it is only in recent years that it has gained momentum due to changes in Israeli policy.''

Researchers at the University of Washington analyzed substance use trends between 2014 and 2019, and found that people between the ages of 21 and 25 were less likely to use arguably more dangerous drugs after cannabis was legalized in the state. The data was published in Adolescent Health magazine last week. Thus, according to the researchers, "Contrary to concerns about spillover effects, the implementation of legalized nonmedical cannabis coincided with a decrease in alcohol and cigarette use and painkiller abuse." Furthermore, "The data demonstrate that cannabis is not a 'gateway' substance, as has often been thought. In fact, in many cases, cannabis regulation is associated with a decrease in the use of other substances, including many prescription drugs." Recall, by the way, that in 2019, research showed that states with legal cannabis experience a decrease in opioid prescriptions, and another showed that daily cannabis use is associated with a reduction in opioid use among patients with chronic pain.