The Taoiseach warned against cannabis being “glamorised” after People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny introduced before the Dail a bill which would decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis
The bill will be debated in the Dail early next year but Micheal Martin is already saying he would “not necessarily” be in favour of it. “I don’t know where he just pulled the 7g out of existence,” he told the Independent.ie.
“I think we have to be careful that we don’t glamorise cannabis either because there are real concerns within the health community and the medical community about what cannabis can do to young people.”
Read more: Bill to decriminalise cannabis possession to be debated by the Dail
Gardaí will be consulted when considering the bill, Mr Martin said, further adding he would be in favour of a more healthcare-based approach to addiction.
“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, and certainly, I would prefer a system that decriminalises in the sense that were there to help people with challenges with harmful substances such as cannabis.
Mr Martin, who has said he’s been “a strong advocate” for facilitation for medical cannabis for people, admitted it can be “challenging” to get a prescription for it. “Nonetheless, I think some analysis has to take place then in terms of the impact of medical cannabis on young people.”
The Bill proposes to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to enable a person over 18 years of age to have possession, for personal use, of either or both cannabis and cannabis resin that in each case does not exceed 7g.
READ NEXT
Wicklow mother vows to keep fighting for medical cannabis for son's rare cancer
Donohoe to be nominated for Eurogroup presidency despite Fianna Fáil unease
Varadkar accused of 'not knowing what he’s talking about' in the Dail
Signs that 'Beast from the East' could bring subzero blast to Ireland
East Wall protests postponed as Minister Roderic O'Gorman to meet with residents
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
