Nearly a decade ago, Ireland made the decision to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes. This month, one Irish lawmaker filed a bill that would take things a step further. Gino Kenny, Teachta Dála of Ireland, has reportedly proposed legislation that would legalize possession of up to seven grams of cannabis and 2.5 grams of marijuana resin for recreational use.
“People are facing criminal charges for possessing small amounts of cannabis, convictions [that] will follow them. [People Before Profit] believes that no one should face criminality for personal possession of [any] drug. Drug use should be treated as a harm reduction matter, not a criminal one,” Kenny tweeted.
“It’s time to stop treating personal drug use as a criminal issue. I hope this bill can start a conversation in this country [that] can lead to the end of prohibition and usher in a new approach. One which will no longer see people unnecessarily [criminalized] and [marginalized].”
It is unclear if the bill will make it through the lower chamber of Ireland’s government, but it has already drawn pushback from the head of the nation’s government, Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Martin has expressed concerns of the effects of the plant on young people and refers to it as a “harmful” substance.
“I will examine it and we will look at data and we’ll take advice from a number of disciplines—be it policing, be it health,” he said, according to Marijuana Moment.
“And 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.”
Today I introduced my bill to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use. It would allow for someone to have up to 7 grams of cannabis or 2.5 grams of cannabis resin on them without facing criminalisation.
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— Gino Kenny TD (@Ginosocialist) November 24, 2022
