Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Israel law
Cannabis laws in Tel Aviv follow Israel’s national law. City pages reflect the same jurisdiction-wide cannabis framework; local ordinances typically do not override it.
Recreational use is illegal, though personal possession is decriminalized and private use is often not prosecuted. Medical cannabis is available with a permit for qualifying patients. Public consumption or larger amounts can still lead to fines or legal risk.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal but decriminalized for personal use
- Medical: Available with permit
- Possession: Private small amounts tolerated; public may incur fines
- Buying/Selling: Illegal outside medical system
- Tourists: Same restrictions; medical access limited
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative History
Israel has one of the world's most advanced medical cannabis programs, legalized in the 1990s and significantly expanded since 2018 with regulated exports and pharmacy access for patients holding Ministry of Health permits. Personal possession of small amounts (up to 50 grams initially, later reduced) was decriminalized in 2019, treating first offenses as administrative fines rather than criminal charges, though public use and sales remain prohibited.
Law Enforcement
Police seemed more interested in growers and distribution than in people smoking or carrying a little. Get into trouble for something else with pot on you, though, and you might be arrested. People talked about a night at the station followed by a warning.
The newer Marijuana Laws section describes later changes in how small personal amounts are treated. The police encounters here are from an earlier period.
Where to Buy Marijuana
If somebody was already smoking, you could ask for a boof, Hebrew slang for a little piece of hash. You might get it free, buy some or make a friend who’d pick some up in exchange for a piece. Near the beach and on Allenby, the nightclub street, were places where that happened.
Without a contact, there was the southern central bus station, Tachana Merkazit. Security was tight and plainclothes guards were everywhere. It was mostly general security, but I wouldn’t treat that as protection. Hash was easier to find than decent pot. Check what you’re getting before paying.
Tel Aviv’s 24-hour kiosks sold cigarettes, booze, bongs and all kinds of late-night supplies. They didn’t sell weed, but people sometimes asked for directions. Use your judgment about whom you ask.
Marijuana Prices
A ten-gram piece of hash went by tola, tolla, etzba or “finger.” The quote was 150–250 shekels, around 200 for decent hash. Other quotes were 100–150 for about ten grams.
Good hydro came to 70–80 shekels a gram in Tel Aviv or 100–120 in Jerusalem. A matchbox of weed, priced as eight grams, was 50 shekels. Fifty grams was 200 shekels, about US$45 at the quoted rate of 4.50 shekels to a dollar.
Israel, GMT/UTC+2, calling code +972 and Tel Aviv area code 3.
Types of Marijuana
Ordinary weed was mild, with reports of local material and imports from Lebanon. Tel Aviv’s better stuff had improved enormously over the previous few years. Expensive, but when it’s good it’s very good.
The hash was great, with plenty of choice. Jaras was harder to find, but not impossible.
Party flyers and late-night kiosks
In Tel Aviv, party flyers turned up in mailboxes. Some were even divided into joint filters. If you didn’t fancy the party, at least you could roll something. Marijuana and hash were common socially even though you couldn’t buy them in shops. People spoke openly and some parties in parliament were working on legalization. There were rumors of undercover police cars with plates ending in 00, such as 99-764-00. That wasn’t a reliable way to identify police.
Bongs were popular, like smaller, handier hookahs. You could buy one cheaply at a kiosk, and the staff might show you how to use it.