Laura Kam is the President of Kam Global Strategies, a Jerusalem-based international strategic communications company that specializes in promoting start-ups in the medical cannabis field in Israel and internationally. Kam Global Strategies also works with the world’s leading foundations, think tanks and Jewish communal organizations such as the Helmsley Charitable Trust and The Jewish People Policy Institute. She has also served as the Executive Director for Global Affairs at The Israel Project and has held various positions at the Anti-Defamation League in New York, Washington D.C. and in Jerusalem.
There is perhaps no one who has championed Israel’s medical cannabis industry as much as Laura Kam, especially as a matter of Jewish advocacy and pride. CJM chose Laura as our Mensch of the Month to honour her pioneering efforts in advancing Israel’s medical cannabis industry, dedication to Jewish outreach and education, and recent volunteer work supporting Israeli farmers in the wake of 07 October. Recently Laura (LK) answered a few questions from Editor-In-Chief Lissa Skitolsky (LS) about paving a path for Jewish cannabis advocacy.
LS: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with CJM, and for your groundbreaking efforts promoting and advocating for Israel’s medical cannabis industry. Can you speak to how your passion for Israel’s cannabis industry is related to your work in Jewish education and outreach?
LK: Just prior to my work promoting Israel’s medical cannabis industry as President of my own strategic communications company, I worked for several decades in the non-profit world on two main subjects: fighting antisemitism at the Anti-Defamation League and enhancing Israel’s image at The Israel Project. I developed an expertise in having stories with positive messages published in international media, in dozens of languages. When I started my own firm about 13 years ago, the Isarel medical cannabis industry was just beginning and I was immediately drawn to the subject and the people making it happen.
The Israeli scientists and business people I encountered were amazing and embodied the Start Up Nation credo⏤innovative, brilliant, gusty, and incredibly caring⏤in this case about patients in need. The sense of Tikkun Olam, of making the world a better place was prevalent thorughout the industry. I strongly believed that “Israel Cannabis” would be widely accepted as a positive story, and that proved to be true beyond my wildest dreams. It is no exaggeration to say that every major news organization literally throughout the world aired or published stories about Israeli cannabis science and the new industry being built in the Jewish state. Israel Cannabis had the effect of introducing the nation to millions⏤from investors to recreational users⏤in a new light.
LS: Can you tell us a bit about your recent volunteer work at Cann Edenn’s medical cannabis farm?
LK: Cann Eden, like virtually all Israeli farms, has suffered from a lack of manpower since the October 7th Black Sabbath. Their workers mostly consisted of foreign workers or young Israelis after their army service [was complete], but the workers left and young Israelis have been called to IDF reserve duty. Israeli civil society has risen in almost unimaginable ways to help our farmers, and Cann Eden is benefitting from that volunteerism. I have been to the farm several times via Kehilat Kol Haneshama, a reform synagogue based in Jersualem.
We have done everything from getting soil ready for planting, to trimming the plants as they grow, to taking the buds off of mature plants. Our volunteer group has been to many types of farms since the war started, but there is definitely something special about helping the good folks at Cann Eden and knowing that their crops are being grown for medicinal reasons. In Israel, cannabis is prescribed for ailments such as pain, Parkinson’s Disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. The events of the past few months will see an increased demand for cannabis products.
LS: Are you optimistic about the new reforms in medical cannabis policy and the future of Israel’s cannabis industry?
LK: I am cautiously optimistic, mostly because of events taking place outside of Israel; particularly as Germany, the largest economy in Europe moves forward with legalization, as Israel often takes its economic cues from Europe. Legalization is one reform that would be helpful on so many levels domestically.
But Israel’s chaotic political situation⏤which is not due to the war⏤has been an ongoing factor in harming the industry here, and must somehow deal with loosening regulations so Israel can fully partake in the global export market. I definitely believe that given the chance, Israel Cannabis can succeed, even in this difficult environment.
