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Should Ireland legalise cannabis? Arguments for and against as debate heats up
Irish Mirror Sunday 13 Aug 2023 The debate over whether to legalise cannabis has been rumbling on for several years with staunch supporters in both the pro and con camp. Ireland has one of the highest rates of cannabis use in Europe, with possession carrying a fine of up to €2,500 or three years in prison. In November 2022 a bill was brought before the Dail calling for the Misuse of Drugs Act to be amended to allow cannabis use for over 18s. Advocates argue that prohibition drives the black market while regulation could reduce crime, protect health and generate revenue. READ MORE: Met Eireann hot weather verdict as forecast teases unexpected U-turn for Ireland But senior doctors have warned the Government is ‘sleepwalking’ into legalising cannabis with dire consequences. YES - Gino Kenny TD Cannabis, hash, marijuana, grass, weed - call it what you like but all are illegal to have in your possession unless in extremely limited circumstances under prescription or via ministerial medical cannabis licence. This should not get conflated with the debate around the recreational use of cannabis. The prohibition of cannabis and many under substances have their origins in the Misuse of Drugs Act which was constructed in the mid-70s. Those laws were created to prevent the possession and sale of cannabis with criminal sanction. Over six decades many people have been prosecuted for breaching the legislation, I would argue this has been a gross waste of resources. In fact, it has only driven the demand for cannabis underground meaning the illegal market controls the sale and supply of the drug. How ludicrous is it that the controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act are not controlled by the state but criminal networks, who profiteer from cannabis and many other drugs? Many countries have come to a realisation that the drug laws were not working. Some introduced a policy of regulation and revenue generation. There have been a number of manifestations of this policy from cannabis decriminalisation to complete legalisation that is not without its critics with the over commercialisation of cannabis. Presently the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use is examining the broad spectrum of drug use in Ireland. Early indications from the assembly point to a different approach in how we approach the use of drugs in Ireland. Cannabis should be regulated, taxed, and controlled like alcohol. You can call it what you like, but can we finally bring an end to the prohibition of cannabis. That is a call getting louder by the day, not only in Ireland but around the world. NO - Professor Bobby Smith, Cannabis Risk Alliance People under estimate the risks posed by cannabis. It is clear that it can cause addiction, about a third of regular users showing signs of dependence. The HRB estimates that there are about 45,000 people in Ireland with cannabis addiction. Cannabis is the main substance generating demand for addiction treatment in people under 25 years. As psychiatrists, we see its adverse impacts on mental health. No illegal drug is involved in more psychiatric admissions in Ireland. It can cause psychosis in some users. Adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal behaviour. There are now multiple studies indicating that teenage cannabis use is associated with alterations in white matter in the brain. In spite of these harms, Canada and a number of States in the US have opted to legalise sale of cannabis for adult use. Predictably, this has led to increased cannabis addiction in young adults and there have been large increases in numbers of people presenting to emergency departments with cannabis related problems, including a severe vomiting syndrome. In addition to harming people who use cannabis, there have also been big increases in harm to others. This includes a major upsurge in accidental poisonings of children after consuming their parent’s edible cannabis products. The black market continues to thrive in legal locations as criminal dealers can always under-cut the taxed and regulated sellers. The poorest, youngest and heaviest users of cannabis are the most price sensitive. They are the vulnerable groups who continue sourcing via the criminal dealers. That isn’t a win for social justice. If evidence emerges in time that legalization is providing health benefits for the population at large, then we can reconsider. But now is not the time for Ireland to embark on this policy experiment. https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/should-ireland-legalise-cannabis-arguments-30691881
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