State open to the legalisation of cannabis

BOHtox

Here's a few snippets of the article

"Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is to examine the possible decriminalisation of cannabis in his new role as Minister of State with Responsibility for the Drug Strategy."

"He said: “I believe someone who has an addiction issue should be dealt with through the health system and not the criminal justice system."

"I am going to mark any hard calls on that but the difference between decriminalisation and legalisation is quite different.
“We need to have a proper discussion before we set up alarm bells in people’s heads.”

"Mr Ó Ríordáin said he had tried drugs once in Amsterdam as a student..."

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/state-to-examine-possibility-of-decriminalising-cannabis-1.2186652


A very contentious issue as always but one I am very welcome to. There's several angles you can take when looking to legalisation.
1) It's my body and to it, I can do what I want.
2) Harm reduction: The trend of illegal drugs has seen them become more dangerous. Cannabis, in particular, can be laced with god only knows what. "Pure" cannabis would be way less harmful for the user.
3) This wouldn't be the case with decriminalisation, but with legalisation it would take money out of the hands of criminals. You could tax, regulate and create employment from it.

Work away...

beertons

\stocks up on munchies

BOHtox

I'm only after seeing the other thread that's slightly related to this in the fact that the minister in question once took drugs himself. Instead of locking this thread, if you were to do so, could you instead move it to the politics section? Ta.

The other fella

I just cant see it happening in this country ever.

Manach

Why am I not not surprised this particular minister took such substances.:rolleyes:

thelad95

I don't like the 'its my body I can do what I want to it' attitude. That's Ok for an individual person. If you want to destroy every brain cell in your head that's your choice but across a whole society, that could be disastrous.

c_man

BOHtox wrote: »

3) This wouldn't be the case with decriminalisation, but with legalisation it would take money out of the hands of criminals. You could tax, regulate and create employment from it.

We could be the Best Small Country in the World to get stoned in according to Enda, that time we shared a bong.

Whosthis

thelad95 wrote: »

I don't like the 'its my body I can do what I want to it' attitude. That's Ok for an individual person. If you want to destroy every brain cell in your head that's your choice but across a whole society, that could be disastrous.

That would never happen.

DarkJager

Whatever about legalisation to an extent that we have coffee shops opening up, but would it really be such a bad idea to allow people to legally grow 1 or 2 plants for their own use at home? It would avoid the usual hysterics (somebody think of the children!) and give people who enjoy a smoke a legal avenue to cultivate an amount for themselves.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

thelad95 wrote: »

I don't like the 'its my body I can do what I want to it' attitude. That's Ok for an individual person. If you want to destroy every brain cell in your head that's your choice but across a whole society, that could be disastrous.

Christ on a bike, so if weed was legalised tomorrow everyone across the whole of society would immediately start smoking weed the day after and lose every brain cell in their head? Really?

Legalise it. Putting potheads in jail is something we will look back on in years to come and see as one of the dumbest possible things we did as a society.

Wacker The Attacker

dat's dem bleedin' junkies and all

Massimo Cassagrande

Toke-n ism.

Arsemageddon

I'd say there is no chance Ireland will decriminalise until the Brits and a few other countries do.

No matter how sensible a suggestion it is there's no way TDs will vote for it, as far as most of them are concerned all drugs are the same.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Tis a gateway drug tho Joe.

Arsemageddon

thelad95 wrote: »

I don't like the 'its my body I can do what I want to it' attitude. That's Ok for an individual person. If you want to destroy every brain cell in your head that's your choice but across a whole society, that could be disastrous.

Yea, little known fact - the Walking Dead is actually filmed in Holland because people who smoke dope turn into mindless zombies who devour human flesh because they have no control over bouts of the munchies.

ComfortKid

He's probably just tryna get the stoners vote next year.

Macavity.

Just decriminalize everything, educate more and prosecute those under the influence of any drug (including alcohol) who are causing harm to others. Simples.

bjork

Well if America have done it, we better follow, as usual

Drumpot

thelad95 wrote: »

I don't like the 'its my body I can do what I want to it' attitude. That's Ok for an individual person. If you want to destroy every brain cell in your head that's your choice but across a whole society, that could be disastrous.

Yeh... Imagine an Ireland where people are destroying their bodies inhaling toxic smoke and over indulging on a liquid substance that could easily lead them to be the biggest drain on our hospitals at weekends!

InTheTrees

Fifteen years ago it would have been absolutely inconceivable that there would ever be a chance Ireland would allow same sex marriage. And now look whats happening.

The end of prohibition of cannabis will spread faster.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

bjork wrote: »

Well if America have done it, we better follow, as usual

Yeah, just like we copied their gun laws, the death penalty, the three strikes system, affirmative action, being in NATO ect ect ect.

If they have it, we are 100% guaranteed to have it soon after. :pac:

MRnotlob606

thelad95 wrote: »

I don't like the 'its my body I can do what I want to it' attitude. That's Ok for an individual person. If you want to destroy every brain cell in your head that's your choice but across a whole society, that could be disastrous.

Wow how myopic that sounds. How is the decriminalisation of Cannabis going to lead to to a mass apocalyptic scenario where everybody has their heads melted from smoking pot ?

If Cannabis was legalized maybe people would adopt more mature approach to using drugs.One of the reasons prohibition was lifted in the US was because people were being poisoned by home brewed alcohol.This is what happens when certain industries are underground,it's unregulated and dangerous and there's nobody held accountable.

LadyAthame

Obama has laid the road open.....once it was beginning to be legalized in the states it would have to be everywhere really.

It's not for me. I will never do it. Each to their own. I don't want it rammed down my throat by the weed brigade but I am happy for others to do what they please. Over 18... don't drive with it. Some can handle it some can't. Just like drinking smoking it all day everyday I can't imagine is great.

My name is URL

Manach wrote: »

Why am I not not surprised this particular minister took such substances.:rolleyes:

Do you want us to guess or are you going to come out and tell us why it doesn't surprise you?

Has it anything to do with the fact that he hasn't been 'christian' in other aspects of his life?

Wabbit Ears

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is as absolutely straight laced as they come. Having him as minister for drugs would be akin to a priest being minister for family affairs (ie a subject he has no applicable practical or personal experience in). To say he once was in Amsterdam and didnt even gat stoned properly as his drug taking experience would be more fitting to a father ted skit.

El Weirdo

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

... How is the decriminalisation of Cannabis going to lead to to a mass apocalyptic scenario where everybody has their heads melted from smoking pot ?...

I dunno. I can get fairly toasted when I get going.

The other fella

My name is URL wrote: »

Do you want us to guess or are you going to come out and tell us why it doesn't surprise you?

Has it anything to do with the fact that he hasn't been 'christian' in other aspects of his life?

This is the first thing i thought of too!Is it supposed to be a guessing game?