Gil Binovitch is the Master Grower at the Intercure cannabis farm located in Nir Oz, the kibbutz that lost a quarter of its members to murder and kidnapping by Hamas on 07 October. This cannabis facility is one of the largest and most advanced in Israel, with the largest genetic bank and inventory in the country. Gil’s work at Intercure has been covered by The Washington Post as a model of how Israelis are saving the communal economies of the kibbutzim by cultivating medical cannabis that is distributed to patients through the Israeli health care system.  Since 07 October, Gil has been working to save cannabis genetics developed for medical purposes and helping to rebuild his community at Nir Oz.  

It is our privilege to honor Gil Binovitch as the CJM Mensch of the Month for his work in the cannabis industry that has supported his community and provided medicine for Israelis. Gil’s approach to cannabis cultivation is based on respect for the herb and sustainable practices that respect the value and integrity of all living things.  

LS: Shalom Gil. I am so sorry for everything you have lost, and I really appreciate taking the time to talk with CJM.  Every month, we honour someone in the cannabis industry as a mensch, and we want to honour you for your work as the Master Grower at Canndoc in Nir Oz, and your efforts to save genetics in the aftermath of 07 October.  This is so important, but I imagine a lot of people wouldn’t understand why, or connect it with the Jewish priority of protecting life (l’chaim).  Can you share how you saved certain cannabis plants, and why this was important despite the risk?

GB: Thank you.  I do not deserve all the credit, there’s been a crew of us doing the work.  It was all about making sure that patients have access to their medicine. We had to keep the [cannabis] genetics alive because we have patients who are relying on these strains, that’s their medicine. They need consistency in their medication, and our medicine will also help the thousands of new medical cannabis patients in Israel.  The genetics are in the market, people are actively relying on it. Besides that, plants are alive – we saved things that are alive.

LS: I read in an article in the Washington Post that you worked as a cannabis trimmer in Sonoma Valley. What led to your interest in the cannabis industry?  When did you start cultivating?

GB: Growing up I didn’t have much interest in plants, but instead studied music and carpentry.  I was travelling in California and I met a cannabis farmer who asked for some help.  As soon as I entered his greenhouse, I felt like I was home.  It was so quiet, and peaceful, and tending to the plants felt like finding my love, or what fulfills me.  I’ve been growing ever since, over a decade now.

LS: As you know, Israel has been adding thousands of new patients to the national medical cannabis program, and I imagine the numbers will keep growing.  Are there particular strains that you think would be better than others for Israelis consuming for the first time, at a time of war? 

GB: My advice for first-time users is to try it out.  It is a very individual medicine, some strains help people in one way, and others in another.  I would also advise first-time users to try a balanced strain with THC and CBD, for example T10 /C10.  My favorite strain to grow is The Soap from Seed Junky Genetics; she is a plant that likes to eat, with incredible energy, beautiful bud and terpene profile that gives it a unique nose, I just love it!

LS: Do you know yet what will happen to the cannabis farm at Nir Oz?  How can we help support your current efforts to cultivate medical cannabis to address the health crisis in Israel? 

GB: The farm in Nir Oz will get back to life.  We choose life, we don’t choose death.  Feeling the support of others is important, it helps us a lot.  Something terrible happened – something that should not happen to humanity. We appreciate the support, and the most important thing is to continue to support Israel.  Keep choosing life – and share our stories.

To help Israelis cope with the destruction of their communities and recover from the war, you can donate to one of the initiatives sponsored by Israel Gives.  CJM is co-sponsoring one of these initiatives to provide support for Israelis who lived in the Nir Oz community.  You can donate to the Nir Oz Community here.

Nominate the Next Mensch of the Month

Submit your nominee for our highest honour, preferably, someone you talk about way too much to remind yourself of the type of person you’re trying to be, a person who connects respect for the herb with being a good ally to minority groups in the cannabis industry.  Thank you! ✡️🌱❤️