A parliamentary committee has recommended that cannabis should be partially legalised and accessed through social clubs in Ireland.
The committee, set up to guide Ireland’s future drug legislation, said that personal possession of all drugs should be decriminalised and the country’s approach to drug use should pivot towards a health-led approach.
Earlier this year, the Citizen’s Assembly on Drugs made 36 recommendations to the Dáil calling for a radical overhaul of drug policy. Following this, a parliamentary committee, known as the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use, was formed to review these recommendations and produce a report, which was published on Tuesday.
Today the Joint Committee on Drugs Use published its Interim Report with 59 recommendations. The Committee formed to examine and respond to the Citizens’ Assembly on drugs use in Ireland. Report available here: https://t.co/EKWwNrNjXH #SeeForYourself https://t.co/tchnT83mrC pic.twitter.com/2q6krO0FFX
— Houses of the Oireachtas – Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) October 22, 2024
The report says the Irish Government should follow the model in other EU countries where cannabis is permitted such as Spain and Germany.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, committee chairman, People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, said that legalisation could come in the form of cannabis social clubs — where cannabis is cultivated on a not-for-profit basis and members of clubs can purchase limited amounts of the drug.
“It’s important that this is implemented,” Kelly told the paper, insisting that the government should take a “health-led approach” to drug use.
“We’re looking at regulating the cannabis market, rather than criminalising people for simple cannabis possession,” said TD Kelly.
To reduce racial and social profiling and improve relations with authorities, the report also recommended reforming Gardaí (police) powers regarding stop and search. As 75% of drug cases before the criminal courts in Ireland are for simple possession, the report states that decriminalisation would keep people out of already overcrowded prisons.
“The negative effects of drug use impacts all of society but disproportionately affects already disadvantaged groups and communities. It is time for a change in how drug use is treated in Ireland and the committee hopes its recommendations will help with this change.” TD Kelly added.
