WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON SYNTHETIC THC (DRONABINOL)

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 004910 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR UNCND UNCRIME IS SUBJECT: WHO RECOMMENDATIONS ON SYNTHETIC THC (DRONABINOL) REF: STATE 195365 ¶1. In response to reftel talking points, the Israeli Ministry of Health provided the following information to ESTH Officer: In Israel, there are several legal drugs containing dronabinol, sold under the brand names "merinol", "nabilon" and "ronabin". All of these can be prescribed by any medical doctor without need for additional permits or approvals. Ten years ago, a pharmaceutical company in Israel produced one of the three drugs containing dronabinol, but that firm discontinued production due to lack of demand. Although there is a potential for abuse of these drugs, MOH has seen evidence of this. MOH issues specific permits for medicinal use of cannabis. Patients who earlier used one of the aforementioned brand name drugs containing dronabinol and later received a permit allowing them to smoke cannabis reported that the former were less potent in all aspects. ¶2. MOH did not have a position on the specific WHO recommendations noted reftel. Post will be pleased to coordinate further with the GOI on this matter as the USG finalizes its position. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** CRETZ