Cablegate: Who Recommendations On Synthetic Thc (Dronabinol)

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DE RUEHTV #4910 3560923
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220923Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8341
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 1312

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.

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