Minister James Lawless: “How do we have two different rules [for alcohol and marijuana]?” | Hotpress

by lifeandtimes89

15 comments

  3. Seems to share the opinion of most people about weed anyway.

    Update: on/about

  5. The Joint Committee on Drugs and the Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use both recommended decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use.

    The citizens assembly, in its final report published in January 2024, called for a move away from criminal penalties for drug possession in favour of a health-led approach (https://citizensassembly.ie/previous-assemblies/assembly-on-drugs-use/report/).

    The Joint Committee on Drugs also endorsed decriminalisation, aligning with the Citizens’ Assembly’s position. Their report suggests a harm-reduction approach, advocating for cannabis use to be managed within a regulated framework (https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/press-centre/press-releases/20241022-joint-committee-on-drugs-use-publishes-interim-report-with-59-recommendations/#:~:text=the%20decriminalisation%20of%20the%20person,caused%20and%20exacerbated%20by%20the)

    The government committee recommended exploring regulated cannabis sale models, including the possibility of ‘coffeeshop’ systems similar to those in Barcelona to allow for controlled access while keeping cannabis outside the black market.

    And of course, these will be the first committees to see none of their recommendations actioned upon or even explored. Sad. If people care about this issue, they should email their TD’s, simply asking for these political committee’s recommendations to be actioned upon.

  6. My opinion is unpopular, but I like the government out of my vices.

  8. It’s not a complicated answer. The folks developing alcohol business, got into politics to make sure their needs were met. No one was doing that for marijuana 200+ years ago.

  10. If, if ever we manage to decriminalise, the roadside tests need to be revised. People getting caught out a day or even multiple days after smoking is unbelievably harsh and unacceptable.

  11. the ‘cool’ politician gives the interview to hotpress. can’t believe hotpress is still a thing

  12. …because they are two different substances. We have different rules for different drugs as indicated by having Schedule 1, 2 and 3 drugs specified in the Misuse of Drugs Act. Surely a Minister would know this.

  13. Even the spanish approach would be great. Grow your own for personal use. But can’t sell it or smoke in public.

  14. I hate the argument that alcohol wouldn’t be allowed if it was introduced today. It is an incredibly useful naturally occurring substance if used correctly, there have been brewing and distilling for millennia. Soft beers were used as water was often unsafe to drink and alcohol killed the bacteria, not that people knew this, they liked the effect of alcohol. Elephants have been known to be go crazy over some fruits when they go over ripe. Researchers think it is due to alcohol content.

    I think the same is true for marijuana, useful if used correctly. However we will never be able to grow buds in Ireland without a greenhouse, you can grow hemp.

    Apologies the argument really annoys me.

  15. Here we go again.

    Gardai didn’t want it, Psychiatric Association didn’t want it, Doctors & Nurses didn’t want it, the Citizens assembly said we’d be in favour of moving towards a healthcare focused approach to which the HSE responded saying they don’t have the capacity to deal with it.

    Can you imagine how bad the HSE & CAMHS would be if every lad caught with a 50 bag and a bong was dumped on them?.

    The same people posting about weed would be online whinging about how they cant get a hospital appointment or a meeting with a mental health professional.

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