Before a hearing in Ireland on a bill that would legalize marijuana possession, a citizen commission appointed by the government has published a formal report recommending to stop criminalizing individuals over drugs – a position which Prime Minister of Ireland says is a good one.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, which reviewed Ireland’s drug laws, and recommended decriminalization of all drugs and harm reduction programs about three months ago, published its official report on Thursday. Ireland’s taoiseach, or prime minister, told legislators that he would give the report “careful consideration”.
Leo Varadkar – Taoiseach of Ireland – met on Thursday with Paul Reid, the chairperson of the Citizen Assembly, to discuss the report. He also spoke on Wednesday at a Dail Eireann legislative forum about drug policy reform.
Gino Kenny, People Before Profit’s TD, raised the issue in a meeting with Varadkar. He stated that the policy of prohibition, which has been in place for decades, “has stigmatized, marginalized, and criminalized individuals as well as communities throughout the country.”
He stated that by adopting the recommendations of the citizen commission, “we could change the course and save lives.”
Varadkar:
“I don’t think blaming, shaming and criminalising others is an effective policy.”
More pic.twitter.com/hRRSzfRVgi
Crainn 24 January 2024 HTML0
Varadkar responded that he agreed that prohibition does not work as demonstrated by the prohibition periods in Ireland which created illicit markets for “impure alcohol products”.
The taoiseach stated, “I believe that drug abuse and use by individuals should be viewed primarily as a matter of public health and not criminal justice.” “I don’t think that criminalizing and shaming individuals is an effective policy.
Varadkar , the Minister of State for Transport and Infrastructure, said he would take into consideration all recommendations made by the Citizen Assembly. He will also carefully consider how “we think this report should be taken forward.”
Kenny briefly mentioned a ‘very simple’ marijuana reform bill that would end the criminalization for possession. He said it would be discussed in the Dail on Monday.
At the end, Gino Kenny, the Deputy, asked Varadkar if he would support the cannabis bill. This question was avoided.
Varadkar said that almost nobody is arrested for possession of personal items, but this is incorrect. pic.twitter.com/Xl7owjr34n
Crainn (@r_crainn 24 January 2024
He said, “We are asking you to look at the short bill and to support it. Let it go to the committee stage as this is the test.” The top government official said, “I believe the days of lip-service are over. Now it’s time to save lives.” He did not address the marijuana proposal directly.
Cannabis reform advocates are encouraging supporters to contact their legislators in advance of the hearing next week and encourage them to support the legislation.
It’s easy to email your TDs, asking them to support cannabis decriminalisation.
All you have to do is use the link which gives access to an email template which automatically sends to all of your local politicians.https://t.co/FFnhcCENz1 pic.twitter.com/z8i6TNx6p0
Crainn Jan 22, 2024 HTML0
Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, which was part of the group’s work last year on drug use and legalization, came up with a recommendation for the reform but it fell short by just one vote.
The Green Party’s TD Patrick Costello applauded Thursday the release of panel’s final reports, calling it “a significant body of work that should guide immediate changes which can take place to improve services and reduce the impact of drugs on individuals as well as communities.”
The @CitizAssembly on Drugs Report launched today is very welcome. Greens wanted this, so I’m happy to see that it was delivered.
It’s up to the Government and the Minister to implement the recommendations. Especially the non-legislative ones, which could be implemented in just a few weeks. pic.twitter.com/7UngJPkirC
Patrick Costello, TD (@Costellop), January 25, 2024
He said that “there are several recommendations in this report which could be implemented fairly quickly, and don’t require legislative changes. But it is a matter to the Government and Minister not to focus on these changes as an urgent matter.”
The report includes recommendations that go beyond simple decriminalization of drugs. These include strengthening the treatment and recovery services available to people in the criminal justice system, and prioritizing the research.
Paul Reid, chairperson of the citizen commission , said that the report highlights how Ireland has “once in a lifetime opportunity” to reform its drug laws and assist people who are struggling with substance abuse.
He said that the panel’s recommendations were “a strong call to action for the government to take a much more comprehensive and cohesive approach to drug abuse in Ireland.”
Image element by Ron Cogswell.
The post As Irish lawmakers prepare to debate Marijuana Bill, Prime Minister pledges to examine drug decriminalization as recommended by Citizen Commission first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
