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Legislative Committee In Ireland Calls For Marijuana Legalization And Decriminalization Of 'All Illicit Drugs'" - Marijuana Moment
Benzinga· 2 mins ago
After lawmakers in Ireland delayed a vote on marijuana legalization earlier this year in favor of further studying the issue, a special legislative committee on drug policy has published an interim report with nearly 60 recommendations, calling for changes such as the limited legalization of marijuana and the decriminalization of personal use and possession of all illegal drugs.
The new report, released on Tuesday, is the product of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use, which was formed to consider cannabis legalization and other drug policy issues following the release of a citizen commission report in January that recommended broadly decriminalizing drugs and implementing harm reduction programs.
Gino Kenny, the chair of the committee and a member of Ireland's lower house of parliament, told Irish Examiner that the proposal could allow cannabis clubs where members can purchase small amounts of marijuana grown on a nonprofit basis, which some other European countries permit, but may also allow for broader commercial legalization.
"It's important that this is implemented," Kenny told the paper, emphasizing his perspective that the government should adopt a "health-led approach" to drug use.
Indeed, many of the 59 recommendations from the special committee focus on shifting the paradigm around drug control from one of punishment and stigma to one of health and harm reduction. That's the core of the first six recommendations laid out in the committee's description of its interim report, which includes findings that "the stigmatisation of drug use and the shaming of drug users are a source of significant harm" and that "the goal of drug policy should be to reduce harm and eliminate stigma."
To that end, it says, "the decriminalization of possession for personal use should apply equally to all illicit drugs." And while "people should be offered all supports and health resources that are required," it adds, "no person should be criminalised for not availing of a supportive intervention."
When it comes to marijuana, the committee is calling on health and justice officials to "undertake a body of research into how a regulated drug market could operate in Ireland beginning with cannabis, and how Ireland can incorporate and implement the learnings of other jurisdictions that have taken positive steps in this regard."
The report specifies that the country should consider reforms "with particular reference to Spain, Malta, and Germany in the development of an Irish not for profit regulated cannabis market."
The body is also calling for expansion of the country's medical marijuana program "to ensure that more people affected by chronic illness can access cannabis in circumstances where other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms."
Benzinga· 2 mins ago
After lawmakers in Ireland delayed a vote on marijuana legalization earlier this year in favor of further studying the issue, a special legislative committee on drug policy has published an interim report with nearly 60 recommendations, calling for changes such as the limited legalization of marijuana and the decriminalization of personal use and possession of all illegal drugs.
The new report, released on Tuesday, is the product of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use, which was formed to consider cannabis legalization and other drug policy issues following the release of a citizen commission report in January that recommended broadly decriminalizing drugs and implementing harm reduction programs.
Gino Kenny, the chair of the committee and a member of Ireland's lower house of parliament, told Irish Examiner that the proposal could allow cannabis clubs where members can purchase small amounts of marijuana grown on a nonprofit basis, which some other European countries permit, but may also allow for broader commercial legalization.
"It's important that this is implemented," Kenny told the paper, emphasizing his perspective that the government should adopt a "health-led approach" to drug use.
Indeed, many of the 59 recommendations from the special committee focus on shifting the paradigm around drug control from one of punishment and stigma to one of health and harm reduction. That's the core of the first six recommendations laid out in the committee's description of its interim report, which includes findings that "the stigmatisation of drug use and the shaming of drug users are a source of significant harm" and that "the goal of drug policy should be to reduce harm and eliminate stigma."
To that end, it says, "the decriminalization of possession for personal use should apply equally to all illicit drugs." And while "people should be offered all supports and health resources that are required," it adds, "no person should be criminalised for not availing of a supportive intervention."
When it comes to marijuana, the committee is calling on health and justice officials to "undertake a body of research into how a regulated drug market could operate in Ireland beginning with cannabis, and how Ireland can incorporate and implement the learnings of other jurisdictions that have taken positive steps in this regard."
The report specifies that the country should consider reforms "with particular reference to Spain, Malta, and Germany in the development of an Irish not for profit regulated cannabis market."
The body is also calling for expansion of the country's medical marijuana program "to ensure that more people affected by chronic illness can access cannabis in circumstances where other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms."
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