ANT KATZ

 ‘A mitzvah’

A New York company said today that it is preparing to market what it says is the world’s first kosher-certified marijuana. “Being certified kosher by the OU will not only help us serve the dietary needs of the largest Jewish community in the US,” said the company, “but also combat unfortunate stigmas associated with medical cannabis.”

The Orthodox Union has certified Vireo Health of New York’s non-smokeable medical marijuana products, Vireo announced in a news statement. Vireo is one of five medical marijuana providers selected to participate in a New York state medical marijuana programme that goes into effect next month; none of the others will be certified kosher.

RIGHT: Marijuana growing in a medical marijuana production facility in Toronto, on October 16, 2015. (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Vireo CEO Ari Hoffnung said: “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.”

The statement adds: “Using medical cannabis products recommended by a physician should not be regarded as a ‘chet’, a sinful act, but rather as a mitzvah, an imperative, a commandment.”

Vireo operates a facility in the upstate town of Perth and will open four retail dispensaries in January, including two in the New York City area.