Bill to decriminalise cannabis possession to be debated by the Dail

• Author: Rayana Zapryanova
• Published date: 24 November 2022
• Publication title: DublinLive (Ireland)

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny introduced bill, which would decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis, passed to a second stage this afternoon and will be debated in Leinster House early in the New Year. The People Before Profit TD told Dublin Live he hoped the bill would pass but it depends on whether it gains the support of the other parties. The Government has not yet stated its position on the issue

When asked if it was reasonable to hope for support from the Government, Deputy Kenny said: "Ireland have been very progressive about certain issues in the last decade and it's made huge leaps in relation to social change in Ireland but one issue that has not been brought forth is in relation to drug reform."

The new bill will not make cannabis legal or regulated, he stressed, but is a stepping stone towards a regulatory system. "If the bill was legislated, obviously the person would not be criminalised for personal possession but obviously the next step after that would be towards a regulatory system," the Dublin Mid-West TD added.

Mr Kenny hopes regulating cannabis would make it less likely to be mixed with more harmful substances which can have detrimental effects on some people.

Addressing the Dáil earlier today, the People Before Profit TD said he believes criminalising cannabis possession for personal use is an outdated model that does not work and the Government needs to look at different models. He added that they all needed to have a "grown-up discussion" about drug use in the country very soon.

"Giving people criminal convictions for small amounts of cannabis that follows them around forever? That's barbaric." he said. "If you believe in a health-led approach, then you would have to support this bill. If you do not support this bill then I don't see the meaning in what you're talking about of a harm reduction."

Cannabis use in Ireland is increasing and the country has one of...