Jerusalem was once known as Amsterdam in the Middle East. The Holy Land was the route for the cannabis trade between Lebanon and Egypt. Hashish cafes, coffee shops were set up in the Holy Land, which attracted cannabis enthusiasts of all races or creeds. The legacy of cannabis culture is deeply rooted in the Holy Land, a place where there are wounds that run deep and demand a remedy. Fast forward a few hundred years: Israeli chemist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam pioneers the discovery of THC—not to mention CBD as well—and within decades, Israel becomes a world leader in the cannabis industry.
Israel is home to some of the highest-quality cannabis companies in the entire world. Trichome is one of them, which is a mix of science laboratory and art studio that specializes in indoor cannabis cultivation. Trichome is Israel’s leading indoor cannabis grower, having launched in 2020. This company combines cutting edge technology with meticulous horticultural methods, paving the way for a new era of sophistication and innovation.
Trichome founder Toni Levi, who had been working in Barcelona at a cannabis club, returned home to Israel when the pandemic began. Blazing through Israeli bureaucratic red tape and inspired by a robust medical marijuana program, within a few short years of founding Trichome, Levi wasn’t only able to secure the highly sought-after Good Agricultural and Collecting Practices (GACP) certification from the Israeli government, but also a commercial license—and with that, Trichome bloomed from a concept into a commercial powerhouse that captures ten percent of Israeli cannabis, particularly in a premium category.
Trichome’s unwavering dedication to horticulture standards based on innovative, unique horticulture methods is what makes it stand out from the competition. Trichome grows cannabis varieties in nine different flowering rooms using rockwool, rather than soil, to create a uniform, sterile environment. The choice of rockwool reflects Trichome’s philosophy: quality, precision and consistency are the most important things.
Levi adds, “We are not only growing cannabis but also crafting it.” Our goal was to produce a product which would stand out, not only in Israel but also globally.
Levi’s path into the world of cannabis wasn’t straight. He spent many years in Barcelona, immersing himself in the cannabis culture. Working at a club, and learning the subtleties of consumption and cultivation in the city that is known for being progressive with the plant. Levi saw a chance to share his experience with Israel when the Pandemic struck. Levi says he returned to Israel after seeing the potential. The medical marijuana program had already been established, but I was confident that we could create something truly extraordinary with the correct vision and execution. This vision was realized in Trichome’s 22,000 square foot facility in Qiryat Gat in southern Israel.
The facility itself is a marvel—clean, modern and meticulously designed to optimize every aspect of the cannabis lifecycle. Trichome’s growing rooms might feel more like an advanced laboratory than a farm. The LEDs overhead cast a glow onto rows of plants, which are planted in hydroponic rockwool.
Steve Abboud is the horticulturalist at Trichome and has been a major influence on shaping their cultivation methods. It’s great that soil can be unpredictable, but we love it. Rockwool allows us to standardize and guarantee that each plant is getting exactly what it requires, at all times.
Abboud, who brings a wealth of experience to Trichome, is the mastermind behind the company’s ability to produce 17 distinct strains—each with its own unique cannabinoid and terpene profile. Trichome’s products cater to a discerning audience of medical cannabis patients, and increasingly recreational users with Israel’s evolving cannabis laws. Abboud says, “We are not only chasing THC levels.” “It’s about the whole plant—terpenes, flavonoids, the entourage effect. “That’s the place where real medicine is.”
Trichome’s “whole-plant” philosophy is the cornerstone to its success. It resonates strongly in a place where cannabis was long considered a medical plant. Israel’s Medical Marijuana Program, which is among the oldest and best in the industry, provides inspiration as well as infrastructure to companies such Trichome. The Israeli market for premium cannabis has never been higher. With over 100,000 patients registered and an expanding export market, Israelis are more in demand than ever. Trichome, which produces roughly 10 tons of cannabis per year while carving a niche for itself in the premium market segment, has responded to this demand.
It’s more than just about size. Levi and team are committed to quality. Their GACP certification reflects this commitment. It is an international standard which guarantees that each step in the cultivation process meets benchmarks. Levi says “Being GACP certified was an incredible game changer.” It’s more than a badge. We’re ensuring our customers are getting clean, consistent and safe food.
Trichome positions itself as a world player as Levi’s ambitions extend beyond Israel’s borders. He says, “We are already exporting into Europe and we’re only getting started.” “The world has begun to realize what Israeli cannabis is capable of.”
Indeed. Trichome, with its advanced technology, scientific rigor, and deep-rooted heritage in cannabis, is poised to create waves on an international scale.
Trichome is a forward-thinking company, but it remains grounded in its home country. Operating in Israel comes with unique challenges—bureaucracy, security concerns and a market that’s still finding its footing amid shifting regulations. Levi does not shy away from the challenges. He admits, “It isn’t easy.” But that is what motivates us. “We’re creating something durable, that will withstand chaos.”
Abboud is also able to see the resilience of plants, which flourish under his watchful eyes. He says that cannabis is resilient. It’s been misunderstood and banned, but it still keeps on coming back stronger. “Working with it is a great privilege.” For Abboud, the work is as much art as it is science—a delicate balance of intuition and data. He will spend hours altering the light spectrums, nutrients and humidity in order to achieve that perfect bud. He muses, “Every strain is unique.” Listen to it.
Trichome is continuing to grow and its influence on Israel’s marijuana landscape will continue to increase. Trichome employs many workers from growers to technicians in labs, becoming a research and development hub. Levi envisions a future where Trichome isn’t just a producer but a pioneer, pushing the boundaries of what cannabis can be—medically, culturally and commercially. “We don’t want to be a follower of trends,” says Levi. “We are here to create them.”
Trichome is a shining example of what can be achieved when innovation meets tradition in a region that has seen cannabis as both a healing balm and battleground over the centuries. The plant has had a long journey through Israel, from the dens where hashish was sold in old Jerusalem up to today’s gleaming growing rooms.
With Trichome at the helm, that journey is entering a bold new chapter—one bud at a time.