Once upon a time, Jerusalem was known as the Amsterdam of the Middle East. It was a bustling hub for the cannabis trade, with the Holy Land serving as a through route for the transportation of cannabis from Lebanon to Egypt. The streets were lined with hashish dens and coffee shops, attracting cannabis enthusiasts of all backgrounds.
The legacy of cannabis culture ran deep in a region plagued by conflict and turmoil, with many seeking its medicinal properties to heal their wounds. And it was in this tumultuous setting that Israeli chemist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam made a groundbreaking discovery – the compounds THC and CBD. With this discovery, Israel quickly became a leader in the cannabis industry.
Among the top cannabis companies in Israel is Trichome, a unique blend of a science lab and an art studio, specializing in indoor cannabis cultivation. Since its launch in 2020, Trichome has boasted the largest indoor grow facility in Israel, setting the standard for sophistication and innovation in the industry.
Founder and CEO Tony Levi believes that every strain of cannabis has its own personality. When the pandemic hit, Levi returned to his homeland from Barcelona, where he had been working in a cannabis social club. With determination and inspired by Israel’s robust medical marijuana program, Levi overcame bureaucratic obstacles and within a few short years, Trichome became a commercial powerhouse, producing ten percent of Israel’s cannabis supply, particularly in the premium category.
What sets Trichome apart from its competitors is its unwavering commitment to standardization and innovative horticulture methods. The company grows its many varieties of cannabis in rockwool, a sterile and consistent growing medium, in nine flowering rooms. This attention to detail reflects Trichome’s ethos of precision, consistency, and quality above all else.
Levi explains, “We’re not just growing cannabis; we’re crafting it.” The goal of Trichome was to create a product that would stand out not just in Israel, but globally. Levi’s journey into the cannabis world was not a straight path. Before Trichome, he spent years immersed in Barcelona’s cannabis culture, working at a social club and learning about cultivation and consumption in a city known for its progressive approach to the plant.
But when the pandemic hit, Levi saw an opportunity to bring his expertise back home. “I came back to Israel because I saw the potential for growth and innovation in the cannabis industry here,” he says. With Trichome, Levi and his team are not only cultivating cannabis, but also pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the industry, making Israel a force to be reckoned with in the global cannabis market.
