A New York medical marijuana company says it is now offering what it claims is the first kosher-certified cannabis option.
Vireo Health, which produces non-smokable medical marijuana products, stated in a press release yesterday that all of its products have been certified as adhering to kosher standards by the Orthodox Union (OU), which certifies products as kosher throughout the United States.
Vireo, one of just five companies in New York allowed to produce and distribute medical marijuana, claims that theirs will be the first-ever cannabis products to receive the certification. The OU symbol will begin appearing on all of Vireo’s products, which include vape cartridges, oils, and capsules.
“Being certified kosher by the OU will not only help us serve the dietary needs of the largest Jewish community in the United States, but also combat unfortunate stigmas associated with medical cannabis,” said CEO Ari Hoffnung. “Today’s announcement sends an important message to New Yorkers of all faiths and backgrounds that using medical cannabis to alleviate pain and suffering does not in any way represent an embrace of ‘pot’ culture. Patients should never feel guilty or ashamed for using a product recommended by their physicians.”
Rabbi Moshe Elefant, CEO of OU Kosher, stated:
“We are delighted to have Vireo’s medical cannabis products join nearly one million other products worldwide that we certify as kosher. In a life or death situation, Jewish law clearly sets aside the kosher status of a medicine, but in other cases, it is preferable and sometimes recommended that a medicine be certified kosher. We commend Vireo Health of New York for taking this step and making this commitment to the Jewish community.”
Photo Credit: Coleen Elliott