An Irish lawmaker has filed a bill to legalize marijuana possession nationwide for adults 18 and older\u2014but a top government official has already raised concerns about the reform proposal.<\/p>\n
People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny introduced the long-anticipated legislation on Thursday. It would legalize possession of up to seven grams of cannabis and 2.5 grams of marijuana resin for personal adult use.<\/p>\n
The bill is currently before the D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann, the lower chamber of Ireland\u2019s legislature. It\u2019s not clear if lawmakers from competing parties will work to advance it, but the the sponsor said that he expects the body to have a \u201cwider debate\u201d on cannabis reform \u201cnext year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThis bill is a moderate first step.<\/p>\n
It does not legalise cannabis but removes the criminal penalties for those using the drug.<\/p>\n
I believe that if passed, this bill will provide a stepping stone to a more progressive drug policy in Ireland.<\/p>\n
2\/4<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gino Kenny TD (@Ginosocialist) November 24, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cThe bill itself is quite moderate. It\u2019s amending existing legislation that dates back 42 years ago\u2014and 42 years ago was a very, very long time,\u201d Kenny said on the floor. \u201cWe need a different narrative in relation to drug reform, because criminalizing people for small possessions of any drug, particularly cannabis, is a complete waste of time and it\u2019s a waste of resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch Kenny discuss the marijuana legalization bill, starting around 4:15:00 into the video below:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
While the sponsor has sought to distinguish the bill as decriminalization, rather than legalization, the bill<\/a> itself says that possession of up to seven grams of marijuana by adults \u201cshall be lawful,\u201d even if there wouldn\u2019t be a commercial market.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s a groundswell of opinion, not only in Ireland, but across the world, for something very different\u2014a different narrative and a different status quo, because the status quo at the moment doesn\u2019t work,\u201d he said<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nIt’s time to stop treating personal drug use as a criminal issue.<\/p>\n
I hope this bill can start a conversation in this country which can lead to the end of prohibition and usher in a new approach. One which will no longer see people unnecessarily criminalised and marginalised.<\/p>\n
4\/4<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gino Kenny TD (@Ginosocialist) November 24, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Medical cannabis is legal in Ireland, but patients must be individually approved by the Health Ministry and there\u2019s been some criticism of delays with the government\u2019s rollout of the program, according<\/a> to Volteface.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin, who serves as the head of Ireland\u2019s government, has already signaled that he may represent a barrier to advancing the modest reform, warning about the consequences of \u201cglamorizing\u201d marijuana use ahead of the bill\u2019s introduction.<\/p>\n
The former health minister said that he\u2019s \u201cnot necessarily\u201d in favor of legalizing low-level possession and suggested that he considered the seven gram limit arbitrary, as The Independent reported<\/a>. He also said \u201cthere are real concerns within the health community and the medical community about what cannabis can do to young people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAfter a long delay finally introducing the Cannabis Regulation Bill 2022 at 1pm today. Looking forward to the discussion ahead\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/4Nw4saC0x2<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Gino Kenny TD (@Ginosocialist) November 24, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cI will examine it and we will look at data and we\u2019ll take advice from a number of disciplines\u2014be it policing, be it health,\u201d Martin said. \u201cAnd certainly, I would prefer a system that decriminalizes in the sense that were there to help people with challenges with harmful substances such as cannabis.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an op-ed about his bill, Kenny pointed to a growing international movement to reform marijuana policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is precedent for Ireland to legislate for the decriminalization of cannabis for personal use,\u201d he wrote<\/a>. \u201cAcross the world countries are recognizing that prohibition of cannabis has not worked, it has only enriched and emboldened the black market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, marijuana reform efforts have picked up within governments of several European countries in recent years.<\/p>\n
Germany\u2019s Federal Cabinet recently approved a plan to legalize marijuana nationwide<\/a>. But officials said that its fate ultimately rests in whether international and European policy allows the country to move ahead.<\/p>\n
Over the summer, top officials from Germany, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands held a first-of-its-kind meeting to discuss plans and challenges<\/a>\u00a0associated with recreational marijuana legalization.<\/p>\n
Malta became the first country in the European Union to legalize marijuana late last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n
A novel international survey that was released in April\u00a0found majority support for legalization<\/a> in several key European countries.<\/p>\n
\nCongressional Researchers Provide Options To Allow Safe Drug Consumption Sites, Including Marijuana-Style Budget Amendment<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Image element courtesy of Ron Cogswell<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
The post Irish Lawmaker Files Bill To Legalize Marijuana Possession For Adults, Draws Early Criticism From Top Government Official<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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