Sharren Haskel
Sharren HaskelYonatan Sindel / Flash 90

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation today approved the bill presented by MK Sharen Haskel (Likud) to decriminalize the use of cannabis.

The bill is expected to be approved by the Knesset on Wednesday.

Following the Likud-Blue and White unity agreement, Education, Culture, and Sports Committee Chairman MK Ram Shefa (Blue and White) and MK Haskel together drafted the bill to end prosecutions of individuals who use cannabis themselves.

Haskel has pushed in the past for the decriminalization of cannabis use in Israel. In recent interviews, she stated that she intended to promote the issue in legislation as soon as possible and that she expected a bill to be passed in the coming months.

Haskel wrote on Facebook following the approval of the ministerial committee: "Today, for the first time in the history of the State of Israel, my legislative process officially began which will lead to the regulation of cannabis market in Israel. After five years of struggle, the ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs approved my bill for the decriminalization and on Wednesday it will be voted on in the Knesset.

"The way here was not simple and full of many struggles, but finally our struggle has paid off. I am proud to give this to over a million consumers of cannabis and tens of thousands of patients," she added.