Germany set to legalise cannabis - will the EU and Ireland eventually follow suit?

Relax brah

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/ourview/arid-40910897.htmL

Germany set to legalise cannabis - will the EU and Ireland eventually follow suit? 

is_that_so

Eventually but nobody knows when!

https://www.dw.com/en/germany-will-legalize-cannabis-but-nobody-knows-when/a-62810179

nice bit of green

Lets get it fully legalised and be sold at reasonable prices. Dispensaries and coffeeshops. None of this decriminalised nonsense which will just still have the problem of dealers selling sub par produce.

conorhal

Ze pesants are revolting Chancellor!

Quick legalize ze weed and make sure they return to their blissfully ignorant sonambulant state!

When the state bypasses religion and just makes opium the opium of the people to keep them in line.

Hodors Appletart

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553364#Comment_119553364

lol comparing weed to opiates, absolute nonsense

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553364#Comment_119553364

Opium? Is it 1870 again...?

Relax brah

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553364#Comment_119553364

Ridiculous comment.

Varik

With how over used that karl marx quote (“religion is the opium of the people") is on boards with all the would be socialists I'd have thought most would have gotten it but no people are taking it literally.

Relax brah

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560125#Comment_119560125

blame the church

Real Donald Trump

We will probably be the last to do it, but eventually will. Alcohol is a much more destructive imo, but yet it always gets a pass for some reason.

washman3

A convenient distraction in Germany at the present time.!!

Each weekend now there are massive protests in many German cities demanding Germany negotiate with Russia to reinstate the gas supply from Nordstream2.

Not mentioned in any MSM reports of course....😉

Real Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673809#Comment_119673809

Great point tbf

rogber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673809#Comment_119673809

Well if the choice is between negotiating with Russia or getting the population stoned and the government chooses the latter it's a credit to them

washman3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673825#Comment_119673825

Reminds me of Charlie Haughey's favourite distraction anytime he came under any pressure. He had the old "legalise condoms distraction" to fall back on. Within hours the people of Ireland were at each other's throats and Charlie and his buddies were bursting their proverbial holes at it all while drinking chardonnay.!! It actually works.....

washman3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673895#Comment_119673895

Ya, if they can get the population stoned they might forget about the cold....😂

Real Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673904#Comment_119673904

Indeed, distractions always seem to work

Dr Turk Turkelton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673809#Comment_119673809

They'll have some job reinstating it now!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560125#Comment_119560125

This is Ireland. Alcohol is the opium of the people.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673809#Comment_119673809

Eh... what?! No they're not!

I live in Berlin - there are protests every week - none of them wanting what you claim.

There's a reason it's not on MSM...

donaghs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119675134#Comment_119675134

Seems to be mostly in the former East Germany. Not in cosmopolitan Berlin.

How big these protests are and how frequent is another questions. Doesnt seem to a big deal yet. Although even if only small protests, it apparently hasnt entered the MSM radar yet.

Germans call for Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline opening (yahoo.com)

Europe's Winter Energy Crisis Has Already Begun - Worldcrunch

Thousands march in eastern Germany to protest soaring energy prices (aa.com.tr)

German protesters call for opening of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline amid skyrocketing bills - YouTube

Thelonious Monk

I like to grow a little and smoke it about once a fortnight, the law doesn't really matter to me or anyone else who partakes.

It wont be legalised in my lifetime, you can see how puritanical we're becoming about alcohol, hidden behind barn doors in shops, MUP, and more measures to come along with alcohol action Ireland doing their thing.

No way will they stand for weed being legalised. There's no movement behind it either, no big political parties are interested, it's just not going to happen.

In saying that last time I was in Dublin I seemed to be able to smell it everywhere in town, and in the suburbs!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119675449#Comment_119675449

Most of them are about soaring energy pries generaly, to be fair - the yahoo one refers to a protest about the invasion in Ukriane rather than energy prices.

In any case, turning on Nordstream is pointless as Russia isn't pumping anything through it, and no one (apart possibly from the far right) wants to be seen to be submitting to Putin. That'll lose more votes than it'll gain.

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119673743#Comment_119673743

Ka ching - alcohol can be excised more easily than a plant in a pot on your kitchen windowsil. Thanks for the idea Eamon.

Ireland's national anthem:

Must have more revenue - ka-ching

Must have more revenue - ka-ching

Must have more revenue - ka-ching

...

Potential-Monke

That's it. I could spend €500 for a complete grow kit plus less than €100 on a few seeds, specific earth and feeds, and I would be self sufficient growing 4 plants one per month (Stage 1-3 of growing @ 1 month each, 1 month drying/prepping). But that would also mean I wouldn't spend much money on the legal sale of the end product. However, I would be spending the money I usually spend on cannabis on other products/services within the country. If legalised, there could be smoking bars that I could start being social in again and end up spending more money. And none of my money would be going to criminals, instead it would go into the exchequer.

But no, keep it illegal, keep it dangerous for consumption, don't listen to the people and keep that old fashioned way of thinking.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119678390#Comment_119678390

Was in Den Haag a few weeks ago, spent an afternoon and evening with a few friends in a coffee shop and spent 60 odd euro - mostly on beer and pizza! - that would have wound up coming home with me under different circumstances...

Netherlands is the only country where I don't know at least one person who grows their own weed.

Housefree

It's cocaine we need legalized, everyone is taking it anyway and it's far better craic than weed

thegame983

They wont just legalise weed for no reason, FFG will keep it in their back pocket as a last resort in case they look to be set to lose an election

Potential-Monke

We just need the right rich person in Ireland to get behind it. Then the gubbermint will bend over backwards to accommodate them.

joseywhales

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119678539#Comment_119678539

Yeah except it's highly addictive and a health disaster if you are taking it long term.

At least weed is only psychologically addictive and people don't seem to have an issue stopping if they absolutely need to.

osarusan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119678562#Comment_119678562

I wouldn't have thought that the legalisation of weed was something that could help swing an election. It's a non-issue compared to so many other things, would barely shift a few votes.

xxxxxxl

Was it not legal already ? I mean you had to be smoking something to rely on Russian gas. 🤐

Relax brah

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119679596#Comment_119679596

It may as well be tbh, it's everywhere and generally socially accepted. Legalisation in the US has really accelerated the education of the benefits cannabis can bring. In turn, much more people are smoking it and the quality has increased dramatically as we continue to learn about the benefits it brings.

Hopefully it's a matter of time before it's officially legalised. You will never see anyone smoking a spliff and starting a fight on Grafton street.

snowguy

Cannabis was legalized in Canada a few years ago. I've never tried it before 2021 ( I am 50). I always have enjoyed my beers, stouts, ales, craft beers and the like.

I have found as I get older, drinking beer tends to make me go to the bathroom more often and I get a terrible sleep, and do not feel great the next day. I started dabbling with edibles ( chocolate - various kinds, dark, milk, white, drinks - cans, tea and a mix to add to water). All I can say about this is that my Friday routine is now, have 5mg of THC chocolate, a drop or 2 of THC oil so in total 7-8 mg. Put the dishwasher on, sit back and just get high.

It is sooo relaxing, and yes, I do walk to the store to get some gummy bears ( not all the time). Girl friend on one side, dog on the other. We just sit and totally relax for 1-2 hrs. The best part is that I/we get a great sleep that night. It helps me turn off my brain and relax, and no need to get up several times to go to the bathroom. Next day, feel great. No hangover and a fantastic sleep.

I think it was a non-event here to be honest, and given a choice I would rather have THC at home and relax than go out and have 4-5 beers.

Plus, it's so cheap. $7 for a 10mg chocolate bar !

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020002/article/00002-eng.htm

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cannabis-changed-canada-1.6219493

Potential-Monke

That's my biggest fear, if I'm ever taken in for blood/urine, I'm off the road, no ifs, ands or buts, simply because it's in my system. Impairment doesn't matter at that stage. The Drager is an "indicator" and should be used with other methods to determine intoxication, but it's not. I know myself from using the Drager alcohol ones that if it comes back positive, 99% the person is under the influence, so it's really a case of if you fail that, you're going back to the station to definitely fail.

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119682476#Comment_119682476

Why would the vintners fight it? I know lots of people who smoke weed including myself sometimes and it has zero effect on whether I go to the pub or not.

DarkJager21

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119682476#Comment_119682476

The vintners and their pals lobbied to double the price of supermarket alcohol. They can **** off and then **** off some more when weed comes in, their opinion is irrelevant and unwanted.

Thelonious Monk

I just don't see how weed is in any way related to pubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553338#Comment_119553338

Most people in the states still buy from dealers to avoid the crazy taxes. It’s just cheaper so they still do. In order for it to be successful the government would need to keep taxes reasonable and not so high as to send people to dealers anyway.

bad2thebone

Was out flyfishing there the other evening and met two hiker's from Oregon and we got chatting. They seen me setting up my fly rod, as I was trying on the dropper,a bibio size 10 in fact. They started chatting with me, I took out my vape and blew a cloud in their opposite direction. Obviously as I wouldn't blow it in their face. Anyhow they said they can't believe the amount of vape shops in Ireland. And told me everyone smokes weed in Astoria there's dispensaries all over the place. Everyone is stoned and it's more relaxing there. A father and son, very much a laid back father and son. Which was nice to see, father was around 47 son maybe 26 . But they loved it here how rural and urban folks are so friendly.

Anyhow they told me that they smoke all different flavors, and by their weed in a place called Sweet Relief. I thought they were joking until I looked it up. And there it was.

I tried to smoke weed in the 90's when I lived in Cork, just made me jittery and I didn't like it.

I hope they enjoyed their vacation.

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119684565#Comment_119684565

I've grown my own and smoked it now and again for a long time. I still love going to the pub as does anyone else I know that smokes reefer.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119683384#Comment_119683384

Competition.

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119684817#Comment_119684817

so you think more people would just to get stoned at home instead of going to the pub if it was legal? they are totally different experiences, one is social the other isn't, I don't see why they'd affect each other.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119684822#Comment_119684822

Adcolutely. The last place I want to go when stoned is a crowded pub. Crap music, loud noise, mainstream tv or sky sports **** news and I'll have to get up and go home at some point.

I'm not saying peope will stop going but if they go to the pub three times a week then it'll be replaced by once a week and twice staying in with joints.

Mav11

AFAIK a product cannot be legalised in one EU state and remain illegal in others?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119684881#Comment_119684881

Not true - you can buy the stuff over the counter in the Netherlands. And all drugs are decriminalised in Portugal.

macraignil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119684881#Comment_119684881

I don't think so. There have been different rules about cannabis in different EU countries for some time. Just looking at the Wikipedia page on this topic gives these details on recreational use:

Austria: Possession for personal use decriminalized as of January 2016

Belgium: Decriminalized up to 3 g or cultivation of one plant

Czech Republic: Decriminalized up to 10 g or cultivation of 5 plants

Estonia: Decriminalised

Italy: Possession decriminalized; home cultivation legal in small amounts for personal use.

Luxembourg: Decriminalised

Malta: Legal for possession, consumption, and cultivation. Distribution is allowed through non-profit cannabis clubs.

Netherlands: Consumption and sale are tolerated in licensed coffeeshops. Possession of up to 5 g is decriminalized. Cultivation of up to 5 plants is unenforced for non-commercial use (unless grown in a professional setup).

Portugal: Decriminalized up to 25 g of herb or 5 g of hashish

Slovenia: Decriminalised

Spain: Decriminalized. Use and possession in private areas allowed for own consumption. Public possession or consumption can result in a fine. Cultivation for personal use allowed in private areas including Cannabis Social Clubs

There is also mention of a few EU member states where it is still illegal but not enforced in small amounts or more often dealt with by on the spot fines rather than prosecution like Finland, France, Germany and Poland. I know the wikipedia page says about the Portugal system having it just decriminalised but last time I was on holiday in the south of the country there was a well stocked shop selling cannabis containing products across the road from the hotel we stayed in. Saw a program on TV about the Portugal experience with decriminalisation and it said they had experienced a drop in crime after the legislation came into force there and I think there have been positive results in many other places as well.

xckjoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119684822#Comment_119684822

Doesn't matter too much what actually happens, it's what the vintners think will happen. If they think people are going to pick staying at home getting stoned instead of going to the pub then they'll lobby against it. Don't forget there's still a lot of people out there that think that cannabis is on a par with opiates while alcohol is good, wholesome fun for the whole family.

Maybe they don't care if it's legalized but I'd assume they're actively against it.

Mav11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119685037#Comment_119685037

OK. Thanks for that. I wasn't sure hence the question mark.

You might want to get your keyboard looked at it, seems that CAPS lock is sticking at times.

Mav11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119685263#Comment_119685263

The only place that seems to have fully legalised is Malta, I wonder are there any restrictions in place.

I remember a suggestion a few years ago that cigarettes would be banned only for the government to respond that we couldn't do it, on the basis that a product could not be banned or deemed to be illegal in one state and not in others.

*Edit: Indeed there are restrictions in Malta an individual could be "done" for possession if proven that it was not solely for personal use!

Mav11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119685098#Comment_119685098

As far as I know while tolerated in the Netherlands, not strictly legal and decriminalisation does not mean legalisation?

But I might be wrong!!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119685687#Comment_119685687

Licensed sellers can sell it, but its illegal to do without. There are coffee shops (effecrtively bars) where you can buy and smoke in the pub (just no tobacco). Personal use is fine.

Portugal - decriminalised, meaning they can confiscate (and possibly order you to the therapy, not sure) but you won't get a criminal record.

Point is - different countries in the EU can make up their own laws.