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The Case for a Regulatory Cannabis Enclave in the Resort City of Eilat

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Abstract

This commentary advocates a city-based regulation, in which the private growing, commercial sale and personal use of cannabis will be legalized in the resort city of Eilat. Specifically, we argue that due to unique geo-cultural characteristics, this resort city is a suitable place to extend the decriminalization process started in Israel in 2017. Based on the Colorado experience, this commentary highlights the rationale and some guiding principles that can serve as the pivot around which the discussion on Eilat as the first cannabis enclave in Israel should revolve.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Larry Wolk, the Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, for his suggestions and comments on an earlier draft of this commentary. Also, we thank Dr. Richard Isralowitz, Director, Ben-Gurion University Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, for the opportunity to present our thoughts about Eilat and cannabis use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Program of Hotel & Tourism Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Eilat Campus, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel

    Yaniv Belhassen

  2. The Mandel Program for Local Leadership, Eilat–Eilot, Israel

    Avichai Jackson

Authors
  1. Yaniv Belhassen
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  2. Avichai Jackson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yaniv Belhassen.

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The authors declare that the article is in compliance with the protection of all human and animal rights.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Belhassen, Y., Jackson, A. The Case for a Regulatory Cannabis Enclave in the Resort City of Eilat. Int J Ment Health Addiction 16, 828–831 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9910-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9910-z

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