Where the People’s Medicine Took Root

Long before cannabis became a global buzzword, the science behind it was quietly taking shape in Israel. In 1964, Israeli biochemist Raphael Mechoulam identified THC and CBD, setting off a chain reaction that would redefine modern medicine. His work went on to prove that the human body produces its own endocannabinoids—and that compounds found in cannabis interact naturally with our biology to regulate pain, inflammation, mood, and more.

Those early discoveries positioned Israel as a global epicenter of cannabis research. Today, it remains one of only a handful of countries with a government-sponsored medical cannabis program, supported by world-class laboratories, strict regulation, and decades of institutional knowledge.

“We have the greatest minds and technologies here, with very powerful facilities,” says Dr. Inbar Maymon-Pomeranchik, founder of biotech consultancy BioDiligence. From Hebrew University’s endocannabinoid research labs to government-funded plant science programs at the Volcani Institute and cannabinoid cancer research at Technion University, Israel’s ecosystem spans the plant, the molecule, and the human body itself. “Every day we discover something new,” she says. “It’s not fast—but in a few years, we’ll know so much more about cannabis than we ever imagined.”

Maymon-Pomeranchik, a PhD in Plant Science and Microbiology and a former student of Mechoulam’s, spent more than fifteen years in molecular genetics before moving into the investment world at the height of the Green Rush. BioDiligence was born from a simple realization: most investors didn’t actually understand the science behind what they were funding.

“There’s a big gap between what you think you know and what you really know,” she explains. While balance sheets might look promising, cannabis lives or dies on its underlying technology. Her role, she says, is scientific due diligence—holding up a mirror so companies and investors can clearly see what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Cannabis, she notes, has evolved unlike any other modern therapeutic. Instead of beginning with isolated molecules and moving step-by-step toward clinical use, cannabis research has often unfolded in reverse—starting with patient outcomes and working backward to identify the compounds responsible. That reversal has made Israel’s current focus on genetics, cultivation, and standardization especially critical.

The plant itself contains more than 400 known compounds, with researchers suspecting there may be over 1,400. Even when grown under identical conditions, two batches of oil can behave completely differently—a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. “This is what we need to understand now,” Maymon-Pomeranchik says. “It’s not like an Advil. We don’t yet know exactly what’s inside—or why one formulation works while another doesn’t.”

That uncertainty is also where risk enters the picture. Bold claims about cannabis curing cancer or other serious illnesses continue to circulate faster than the science can support them. Israel’s approach, by contrast, is cautious, data-driven, and patient-first—making it an attractive destination for international partners seeking real answers rather than hype.

Despite smaller patient numbers and strict controls—only a limited number of farms and physicians are licensed—the country functions as a living laboratory. “Israel is a startup nation,” Maymon-Pomeranchik says, “with the rare advantage of deep research and real-world testing happening side by side.”

The breakthroughs are already reshaping medicine, from epilepsy and Crohn’s disease to inflammatory disorders and chronic pain. Early lab studies are even pointing toward cannabis compounds that may one day play a role in oncology. For Maymon-Pomeranchik, the message is clear: the future of cannabis isn’t about spectacle—it’s about substance.

“Even if five percent of what we know turns out to be true,” she says, “it’s still a jackpot.”