Ireland moves to decriminalise Cannabis

[RoMoney]

https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/health/t ... r-14819159

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says moves to decriminalise cannabis are "under consideration" - and suggested that full legalisation of the drug would not make "the sky fall in".

Speaking at the British-Irish Council in Guernsey, Mr Varadkar said moves to stop possession and consumption of a drug from being illegal were being considered by the Government.

He revealed that an expert group is currently looking at decriminalising Ireland's most popular controlled substance, examining the way other jurisdictions have decriminalised the drug for recreational use.

The Fine Gael leader pointed to recent developments in the US and Canada, whose Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to fully legalise the consumption and cultivation of cannabis from next October.

According to RTE, Mr Varadkar said: "We're conscious that Portugal has done it and has had some success in moving it from a criminal justice matter to a health and addiction issue and I'm very conscious that cannabis has been decriminalised in every state on the west coast of the United States.

"Colorado, most recently Canada and the sky hasn't [fallen] in, so it's something that's under consideration".

Last year, Minister for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne announced that she was to consider alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use.

The Government is currently seeking the public's opinions on the issue as part of the National Drug Strategy, with an online questionnaire on the issue launched by the Department of Health last month.

[Junglist Movement]

Definitely a step forward for us!!