Battling Discrimination: A Journey to Becoming an Officer Despite Medical Cannabis Use

After being denied entry into an officers’ course by the IDF, V was determined to pursue his dream of becoming an officer. He submitted a request for a ‘professional’ officer’s course, which did not require accommodation on the base. However, the army argued that he did not meet the conditions for this route as he was not returning to military service.

Feeling that his dignity and rights were being violated, V submitted a petition to the High Court, claiming that the army’s demands for him to give up medical cannabis treatment were unreasonable. He alleged that this was a form of discrimination based on his medical disability and violations of the Fundamental Law on Human Dignity and Freedom and the Law on Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities by the Ministry of Defense and the IDF.

The Ono Center for Clinical Social Law’s head emphasized the importance of allowing adapted military service for those willing to serve, promoting integration and equalization values. The IDF responded to the petition by stating that V’s application for a designated officer’s course would be examined by an authorized committee in the personnel division. As of yet, the Ministry of Defense has not issued a response to the matter.