Protestors call for cannabis legalisation in Dublin and Cork today.

Run_to_da_hills

Protestors are marching in Dublin and Cork today, in support of the legalisation of cannabis. The demonstration has been organized by the Legalese Cannabis Ireland group. It's the third year in a row the protest has taken place in Dublin and the first march of its kind in Cork.

Anyone who is thinking of participating should wear a hoody because the sophisticate Garda surveillance cameras will spot your face :eek:

On a seperate note If dope was legalized it could be taxed and would being in a windfall for the exchequer

They have already lost out heaps of revenue in the recent BZP ban. :pac:


http://news.eircom.net/breakingnews/15639141/?view=Standard

Mr Benevolent

Another drugs thread, another polarising debate.

(And where's the conspiracy in this?)

Mr. Presentable

If you don't want to be seen, doesn't that illegitimise your protest? You don't want to be seen to protest?

Sleipnir

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

On a seperate note If dope was legalized it could be taxed and would being in a windfall for the exchequer

It would not be a windfall, it would be a drop in ocean.

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

They have already lost out heaps of revenue in the recent BZP ban.

How much did they lose and based on what? VAT?
How much is 'heaps'?

I'd say the amount of BZP sold in this country over the past few years amounts to no more than a few van-fulls.

Mr. Presentable

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

On a seperate note If dope was legalized it could be taxed and would being in a windfall for the exchequer

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On a seperate note, it's not called "dope" because smart people take it :pac:

Sofiztikated

But the only thing with the BZP ban is that it wasn't an "Irish" thing, it was complying with an EU ban, and even at that, it was late/last minute.

And wear a hoody? Why? As long as you have nothing illegal on your person, then what matter if you are "spotted?"

Wearing a hoody would just further push it into the peoples minds that cannabis smokers are "dirty junkie scum."

I'll not be going, as

A) I have to work,
b) I'm too far down the country to get up and back in time,
c)I don't want to be associated with scummers,
d) I don't want to be associated with the usual protester lot that turns up to this things,
e) It's not going to change anything.

Poor Uncle Tom

Confab wrote: »

Another drugs thread, another polarising debate.

(And where's the conspiracy in this?)

Mellow out man..:D
Yeah, chill dude..:D

That crowd are almost as bad as the hill of Tara treehugger lot.

Maybe they are the same.

Oh wait...

Four-Percent

nipplenuts wrote: »

On a separate note, it's not called "dope" because smart people take it :pac:

On a separate note, FYP.

Mr. Presentable

Four-Percent wrote: »

On a separate note, FYP.

Cheers, Dude!

0ubliette

im surprised these ****ing hippies can stop cramming drugs down their bong hole long enough to organise a march. But if they want to waste their saturday afternoon thats up to them

DarkJager

If they legalised it maybe some of the anti-drug fascists might manage to take their head out of their ass after a few tokes.

Rented Mule

Let the sheep have their alcohol, nicotene and caffeine and think that they are somewhat superior to someone who smokes an occassional joint on the weekends.

Sleipnir

I've no problem with it being legalised but arguing that it will save the economy or even contribute to it financially in any real sense is just plain dumb.

And BZP losing 'heaps' for the exchequer is a load of pants too.

DarkJager

Sleipnir wrote: »

I've no problem with it being legalised but arguing that it will save the economy or even contribute to it financially in any real sense is just plain dumb.

And BZP losing 'heaps' for the exchequer is a load of pants too.

Lets see- a resonable price for a bag (say around €35-€40), being bought by lets just make a rough estimate of 100,000 people per week, will bring in around €4 million a week. You can come to the conclusion of what that would make in a year for the economy.

As I say, my figures are theoretical in the above case, but it would be foolish to underestimate the boost it would give to the economy if it ever became reality.

Samba

Sleipnir wrote: »

It would not be a windfall, it would be a drop in ocean.

I really don't think you are in any position to dismiss or validate his comments.

But please correct me if I am wrong.

Do you know what the yearly sum is, that's spent by Irish cannabis users?

Aside from tax revenue there are other reasons, it would cut out the more sinister side of the drugs trade in Ireland and it would certainly put a hole in the pockets of the scumbags who import/grow/sell drugs in Ireland.


There are also health reasons.....

Currently in Ireland, unless you actually know a friend or someone you can rely on that grows cannabis here in Ireland.

If you do smoke some bud from Ireland the chances are it's been contaminated with something so that the weight of the product will be increased.

IMO this poses a serious health risk to the people who are smoking this ****e day in day out....i highly doubt that the scum bags practicing these growing methods are fully aware of any potentially damaging effects from smoking these contaminants.

DarkJager

Agreed. Its one of the most profitable products for drug dealers, so removing the illegality of it would put a massive hole in their pockets.

Samba

DarkJager wrote: »

Lets see- a resonable price for a bag (say around €35-€40), being bought by lets just make a rough estimate of 100,000 people per week, will bring in around €4 million a week. You can come to the conclusion of what that would make in a year for the economy.

As I say, my figures are theoretical in the above case, but it would be foolish to underestimate the boost it would give to the economy if it ever became reality.

from Drug War Chronicle, Issue #535, 5/9/08

Marijuana is big business in the Netherlands, if estimates from the Dutch TV program Reporter are to be believed -- and no one is challenging them. According to the news program, the Dutch government is raking in 400 million euros (a little more than $600 million) a year in taxes from the country's 730 marijuana-selling coffee shops.


http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/535/dutch_marijuana_tax



But let's be realistic, it's never going to happen in Ireland and in a sense this make me happy, because I would hate to see Dublin become anything like Amsterdam.

regob

these protests are stupid whats the point, just an excuse for people to walk around are capital to act cool cause they think there class cause they take illegal substances

DarkJager

Samba wrote: »

from Drug War Chronicle, Issue #535, 5/9/08

Marijuana is big business in the Netherlands, if estimates from the Dutch TV program Reporter are to be believed -- and no one is challenging them. According to the news program, the Dutch government is raking in 400 million euros (a little more than $600 million) a year in taxes from the country's 730 marijuana-selling coffee shops.


http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/535/dutch_marijuana_tax



But let's be realistic, it's never going to happen in Ireland and in a sense this make me happy, because I would hate to see Dublin become anything like Amsterdam.

Seeing as Amsterdam is the greatest city in the world, I'm sorry to hear you wouldn't like Dublin to enjoy a similar tourist industry.

Rented Mule

regob wrote: »

these protests are stupid whats the point, just an excuse for people to walk around are capital to act cool cause they think there class cause they take illegal substances

You have completely missed the point.

Samba

DarkJager wrote: »

Seeing as Amsterdam is the greatest city in the world, I'm sorry to hear you wouldn't like Dublin to enjoy a similar tourist industry.

If you were to remove, the red light, the heavy drugs trade, crack, cocaine, heroine and the human trafficking.... I would agree with you.

It is an amazing city but unfortunately it's reputation is tarnished by many of the illegal activities.

For anyone going any time soon, go see the Zoo! You will not be disappointed, it's a far cry from Dublin Zoo.

I also think these protests are silly tbh, if you are really set on pursuing changes within the legislation, at least try and do it right.

Set up a professional body, present a valid argument outlining your reasons for change, back up your reasons with scientific evidence, show that you have studied the effects of possible changes within our society, the benefits, the disadvantages etc...

The problem here is that, hippies cannot provide a clear cut factual based argument for the legalisation of Cannabis here in Ireland and until such a time (showing that they really have done their research), all cries for change to the current legislation will fall on deaf ears.

My name is URL

It should be legalized. There's no reason it shouldn't be because it's not as if there'll be a massive increase in the numbers of users if it is.. the same people will be buying it from safe sources and the money will go towards educating people and scientific study.

Anyone that's against it is a tit, imo

DarkJager

DarkJager wrote: »

Lets see- a resonable price for a bag (say around €35-€40), being bought by lets just make a rough estimate of 100,000 people per week, will bring in around €4 million a week. You can come to the conclusion of what that would make in a year for the economy.

As I say, my figures are theoretical in the above case, but it would be foolish to underestimate the boost it would give to the economy if it ever became reality.

Your maths is all predicated on the Government being the vendor. Levying a tax on the bags reaps a much lower reward.

DarkJager

Samba wrote: »

If you were to remove, the red light, the heavy drugs trade, crack, cocaine, heroine and the human trafficking.... I would agree with you.

It is an amazing city but unfortunately it's reputation is tarnished by many of the illegal activities.

For anyone going any time soon, go see the Zoo! You will not be disappointed, it's a far cry from Dublin Zoo.

If you remove the red light district and the coffee shops, you are robbing Amsterdam of its uniqueness. Its an amazing city regardless of what you go there for. Some people go to enjoy the relaxed outlook on cannabis and sex, others go to see the sights.

DarkJager

Deleted User wrote: »

Your maths is all predicated on the Government being the vendor. Levying a tax on the bags reaps a much lower reward.

To have an impact on the economy, they would need to be a majority vendor for it. Or maybe make the money out of a special license to sell it, with a percentage of profits being taken by the government.

Sleipnir

Samba wrote: »

Do you know what the yearly sum is, that's spent by Irish cannabis users?

Does the OP? If not, then me saying it wouldn't be a windfall is about as valid as him saying it would be.

The_Minister

Amsterdam = Mos Eisley.

It's a sleazy ****hole. Enjoyable, but still a ****hole.


And, tbh, the protestors at these events do more harm then good.

Samba

DarkJager wrote: »

If you remove the red light district and the coffee shops, you are robbing Amsterdam of its uniqueness. Its an amazing city regardless of what you go there for. Some people go to enjoy the relaxed outlook on cannabis and sex, others go to see the sights.

read my post...no mention of the coffee shops

Sleipnir wrote: »

Does the OP? If not, then me saying it wouldn't be a windfall is about as valid as him saying it would be.

I didn't actually see that the OP mentioned the windfall.... but based on estimates of what the Dutch generate in revenue...it certainly looks like more than a potential drop in the Ocean.

ScumLord

They did a sterling job of spreading the word anyway. First I've heard of it. These marches are just a day out for them and will change nothing.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

regob wrote: »

these protests are stupid whats the point, just an excuse for people to walk around are capital to act cool cause they think there class cause they take illegal substances

Stay in school kids, it will do you the world of good.

el_tiddlero

The_Minister wrote: »

And, tbh, the protestors at these events do more harm then good.

for the past 2 years this march has gone off without a hitch. no trouble. no problems. and well received by the people it has passed by in the streets.

it's a good, honest attempt to put this issue on the map with the ordinary person. That's all. We just want debate. In real life. Not in After Hours every 3.36 weeks.

any evidence of how protestors do more harm than good?

deco05ie

regob wrote: »

these protests are stupid whats the point, just an excuse for people to walk around are capital to act cool cause they think there class cause they take illegal substances

Your post is less coherent then Helen Keller's twitter page.
http://s1.b3ta.com/host/creative/21323/1241641509/hktweet.jpg

ScumLord

They did a sterling job of spreading the word anyway. First I've heard of it. These marches are just a day out for them and will change nothing.

Pat Sheen

Samba wrote: »

Currently in Ireland, unless you actually know a friend or someone you can rely on that grows cannabis here in Ireland.

If you do smoke some bud from Ireland the chances are it's been contaminated with something so that the weight of the product will be increased.

IMO this poses a serious health risk to the people who are smoking this ****e day in day out....i highly doubt that the scum bags practicing these growing methods are fully aware of any potentially damaging effects from smoking these contaminants.

You've made a few sweeping statements there which are not backed up by any evidence. Gritweed/glassgrass is NOT an Irish phenomenon, there have been reports of this stuff appearing in UK, mainland Europe and North America. Ireland is a net importer of cannabis not a producer! This contaminated ****e is being brought in, same as the contaminated hash has been for years. You've also said gritweed production is down to some growing method when in fact most sources agree the adulteration takes place after harvesting.

Overheal

Im all for the legalisation of cannabis and at least they organised a protest. But hoodies? They were either afraid daddy would see them on the news or they were reading into V for Vendetta far too much.

Gritweed/glassgrass is NOT an Irish phenomenon, there have been reports of this stuff appearing in UK, mainland Europe and North America. Ireland is a net importer of cannabis not a producer! This contaminated ****e is being brought in, same as the contaminated hash has been for years. You've also said gritweed production is down to some growing method when in fact most sources agree the adulteration takes place after harvesting.

By the time the supply makes it out into the network in Ireland suppliers frequently re-process it into hash or lower quality hash by stuffing it up with impurities like peat moss and plastics. I should know having bought my fair share of the tainted shyte.

Pat Sheen

You know how these chinese operated growing factories are popping up all over the place, well I heard they're spraying their grass with MSG!

Pat Sheen

Overheal wrote: »

By the time the supply makes it out into the network in Ireland suppliers frequently re-process it into hash or lower quality hash by stuffing it up with impurities like peat moss and plastics. I should know having bought my fair share of the tainted shyte.

Oh right so they reduce it in volume to hash only to bulk it up again with peat and plastic. That makes sense!

Gack hash is made early in the supply chain, usually Spain, when decent hash from Morocco is pulverised and bulked up with junk and binders and re-pressed.

CDfm

In the current ecomomic climate its a wonder the politicans dont insist we smoke it.

Cupcake_Crisis

CDfm wrote: »

In the current ecomomic climate its a wonder the politicans dont insist we smoke it.

Fingers crossed :P

Futurism

regob wrote: »

these protests are stupid whats the point, just an excuse for people to walk around are capital to act cool cause they think there class cause they take illegal substances

You should represent the anti-drugs lobby.


We'll have it legalised in no time.

Overheal

regob wrote: »

these protests are stupid whats the point, just an excuse for people to walk around are capital to act cool cause they think there class cause they take illegal substances

You'd think for someone who was so cool cos he goes to a NI/GB school you'd have a somewhat elevated understanding of Political Activism.

I guess not.

liah

nipplenuts wrote: »

On a seperate note, it's not called "dope" because smart people take it :pac:

Guess Carl Sagan's a real bozo.

Fighting Irish

0ubliette wrote: »

im surprised these ****ing hippies can stop cramming drugs down their bong hole long enough to organise a march. But if they want to waste their saturday afternoon thats up to them

:rolleyes:

I don't smoke but as far as i can see theres more good in legalising/decriminalising it than there is in it being illegal

Or even if they legalised it for medical use

Can't see what the problems really are in legalising it. After all, I bought this bag of "Spice Gold" in a shop down the road, and its gotten me quite toasted. Perfectly legal.

Although i would hazard that its probably worse for the user, than any "real" grown source. :rolleyes:

Bottle_of_Smoke

Good time to have the protest. We are going to be hit so badly by lost tourism revenue this year due to the strong euro and worldwide recession.

Perhaps this could bring people from the otherside of the border down here, as well as the rest of the UK.

The group should try and get the tourism people behind them. A Fine Gael TD has already suggested legalising it.

Never know what might happen.

deco05ie

Deleted User wrote: »

Can't see what the problems really are in legalising it. After all, I bought this bag of "Spice Gold" in a shop down the road, and its gotten me quite toasted. Perfectly legal.

Although i would hazard that its probably worse for the user, than any "real" grown source. :rolleyes:

I've honestly never heard a good argument to have it made illegal in the first place.
afaik it was made illegal based on unfounded fears that were caused by propaganda

deco05ie

deco05ie wrote: »

I've honestly never heard a goo argument to have illegal in the first place.
afaik it was made illegal based on unfounded fears that were caused by propaganda

The funny thing is that the smoke I am smoking right now is as good as grass.. Not quite as nice a smoke, but still very good. And its perfectly legal. Sold in plain view, over the counter of certain shops. Natural high. haha... And what is cannabis or grass, then? I've never really understood the Irish mentality when it comes to natural drugs like shrooms or cannabis.

Well, considering the numbers of people I know that regularly smoke, I'd say there are a rather large portion of Irish people who like a smoke now and then. Makes more sense to tax it. Its not as if the Gardai are capable of preventing cannabis being used effectively. Better to benefit..

NickNolte

The fact that drugs are illegal in today's society speaks volumes about just how backwards and stupid we are. Let's see - the benefits of legalising drugs:

• Wipe out the main method of income for some of the world's most violent and murderous criminal organisations as well as everybody else down the chain.
• The safety of drugs could be regulated and drug use would be made safer.
• The government would take in hundreds of millions in tax revenue.
• Drug use may even reduce (in Portugal for example, when drugs including cocaine and heroin were decriminalised, they saw a drop in drug use)

And the cons:

• Whiney, brainless anti-drug idiots who think they know what's best for everyone else won't have any reason to moan. Although I'm sure they'll find something :rolleyes:

Captain-America

Dave's not here man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqkDoi5Jkyw

Works every time.

CDfm

Cupcake_Crisis wrote: »

Fingers crossed :P

Is it only in Dublin and Cork they want it legalised ?