Cannabis should be legalized in Ireland To pull Our country out of ression

Bottle_of_Smoke · 24-03-2011 6:10pm

[Jackass] wrote: »

Maybe it's that I'm in my late 20's now, age they say makes you more conservative, but maybe it just makes me a little bit wiser...

Probably up until my mid-20's I would have been in favour of it being legalised, but to be honest "it's never killed anyone" isn't really a good enough excuse to legalise it.

I dabbled, but now having grown out of it, i acknowledge it's harmless enough, no more dangerous than regular smoking tobacco, but it does make people useless, and we've all seen stoner friends who can sit in for days on end and just smoke and the certain rut it can get people in.

I also feel that whilst not physically addictive, and I'd strongly disagree that it leads to harder drugs as a direct result of smoking, it is a lifestyle, and i just don't see what the benefits of this lifestyle can be. Making it available to everybody just means more and more people will try it and more and more people will become very contented with that stoner lifestyle, and I know it's sort of funny to people perhaps, and movies are made about stoner type lifestyles (Big Lebowski, Jay & Silent Bob) they're often protrayed as completely useless, no hopers, and that, in my experience, is generally the case for regular users who eventually snap out of it, but really do waist years of their life on it.

I've no problem with the current arrangement. If you really want to do it, you still have the choice and can get it easily enough, but I don't beleive it should be encouraged in the mainstream, and as for it impacting on drugs gangs etc., legalising it for that reason would be conceeding defeat to the drug gangs as unable to stop them, and I think the answer to gangs is more organised, specialised teams, and not muscling them out of the market by taking control of their trade by supplying it ourselves...

A reasonable post but I strongly disagree that more and more people will fall into the stoner lifestyle.

Cannabis isn't for everyone, it tends to have a somewhat different effect every time you take it, which makes sense considering every joint will have different plant matter, different joint roll, different strength. The effect also seems to be a lot more initial mood dependent than alcohol.

It isn't suitable for public socialising. Irish people like going to the pub, talking to strangers and dancing. Cannabis doesn't fit in with this. Cocaine does, which is why I would never advocate legalising cocaine.

Economic advantages would outweigh any potential negative consequences

[Jackass] · 24-03-2011 8:07pm

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

As I recall, you dabbled a few years ago...

I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh_Noes · 24-03-2011 9:26pm

TD Mick Wallace calls for the legalisation of cannabis and prostitution on the John Murray show this morning.

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/thejohnmurrayshow/

Cosimo Salvatore · 25-03-2011 1:01am

In my opinion, cannabis should be legalised in Ireland, to pull our country out of recession.

Overheal · 25-03-2011 2:36am

Cosimo Salvatore wrote: »

In my opinion, cannabis should be legalised in Ireland, to pull our country out of recession.

Cannabis won't solve a recession.

ordinarywoman · 25-03-2011 2:45am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbHy6Xa9BU0

Sarah Martin has Multiple Sclerosis and, while the British government sells British manufactured cannabis medicines to other countries, it continues to deny it to it's own patients. Countries such as Germany and Denmark purchase Sativex, made by GW Pharmaceuticals, as pain and spasm relieving medicine. Sativex is a cannabis tincture, effectively a new strain of SKUNK in a bottle. The tax payer should not be asked to support the growth of a benign plant and manufacture of a medicine that can be grown for free. Basic common sense and medical guidance will allow the patient to treat themselves safely in their own homes

Oh_Noes · 25-03-2011 2:51am

ordinarywoman wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbHy6Xa9BU0

Sarah Martin has Multiple Sclerosis and, while the British government sells British manufactured cannabis medicines to other countries, it continues to deny it to it's own patients. Countries such as Germany and Denmark purchase Sativex, made by GW Pharmaceuticals, as pain and spasm relieving medicine. Sativex is a cannabis tincture, effectively a new strain of SKUNK in a bottle. The tax payer should not be asked to support the growth of a benign plant and manufacture of a medicine that can be grown for free. Basic common sense and medical guidance will allow the patient to treat themselves safely in their own homes

Funnily enough, One of the regional health authorities in the UK have already banned it for some reason or other.

West Midlands bans Sativex for people with MS

17 Mar 2011

The Midlands Therapeutics Review & Advisory Committee has this week issued the first blanket ban in the UK for prescribing Sativex, claiming that there is inadequate evidence for the drug’s efficacy and safety. This flies in the face of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s decision that the drug is both safe and effective.

Sativex is a licensed treatment for people with MS who experience symptoms of spasticity; it should be prescribed to people for whom other treatments have failed.

Jayne Spink, Director of Policy and Research at the MS Society said of the ban: “Sativex has undergone extensive clinical testing over many years. This decision beggars belief. It is not the remit of local committees to overwrite the judgements about the safety and effectiveness of drugs made by the official regulators. Banning access to Sativex will condemn those people with MS who rely upon it to a life unnecessarily limited by spasticity; a potentially devastating and distressing symptom of the condition.

“It’s a national disgrace that people with MS in the UK are already amongst the least likely in Europe to have access to proven MS drugs. This news will only deepen the divide further.”

The MS Society has released advice for people struggling to access Sativex. If you are struggling to access it, then you can also share your experiences and views

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/news_events/news/press_releases/sativex_ban.html

Cosimo Salvatore · 25-03-2011 2:51am

Overheal wrote: »

Cannabis won't solve a recession.

It certainly won't, but it sure is a beautiful little plant.

ordinarywoman · 25-03-2011 2:56am

Overheal wrote: »

Cannabis won't solve a recession.

no it wont.No one thing is going to save us from a recession.

but it could help, and then it might not be necessary to stop student nurse wages, or decrease the disability allowance, or childrens welfare...given our options i would thing that our nations leaders should be looking toward all innovative ideas to create employment, for a viable economic solution.
the market is there...there is a high demand..and can be home produced.

Oh_Noes · 25-03-2011 3:02am

Overheal wrote: »

Cannabis won't solve a recession.

It would certainly help a little bit though.

Money out of the hands of criminals and into the public pocket.

Millions saved on enforcing a damaging law.

Millions saved on healthcare costs for treating those who have been poisoned by unregulated, black market drugs laced with toxic diluting agents.

De-criminalising those with cannabis offenses who now have limited access to employment as a result.

Not an overnight cure for the recession but certainly a step in the right direction.

ordinarywoman · 25-03-2011 3:13am

just found this on another thread going here thought it was interesting

There is a noticeable aroma wafting around the medical marijuana industry. It’s the smell of money — with a strong hint of entrepreneurial opportunity.
Medical marijuana is now a $1.7 billion market, according to a report released Wednesday by See Change Strategy, an independent financial analysis firm that specializes in new and unique markets. The figure represents estimated sales of marijuana through dispensaries in states with medical marijuana laws. It is the first time a definitive dollar figure has been given to the emerging medical cannabis industry.

More must-read stories
1. AP file
  Medical pot ranks as blockbuster drug Sales of medical marijuana are estimated at $1.7 billion annually in the 15 states with laws that permit it, according to the first definitive study of the market. That is on par with sales of Viagra.
2. Life Inc.: We'd rather be broke than gray
3. Life Inc.: Worried about your job? Get a facelift
4. Nine jobs that humans may lose to robots
5. GM rebates, CEO comments raise eyebrows

To put that number in perspective, sales of medical marijuana rival annual revenue generated by Viagra, a $1.9 billion business for Pfizer.

mikom · 29-03-2011 3:43am

Things look to be on the move in the UK....

New guidelines would allow courts to give community penalties to those playing a ‘subordinate’ role in a criminal gang.

For cannabis, the punishments are even softer. A subordinate dealer could avoid jail even if they were involved in the supply of up to 50kg of the Class B drug.

Community service would be the ‘starting’ sentence for those who sell less than 1kg of the drug. For less than 100g, they face only a fine.
The Sentencing Council – an independent body comprising judges, prosecutors and police officers – has asked for public views by June 20. The proposals could be put into operation within months.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370954/Heroin-dealers-escape-jail-New-sentencing-proposals-mean-pushers-free.html#ixzz1Hx77lAR8

ScumLord · 30-03-2011 1:17am

Overheal wrote: »

Cannabis won't solve a recession.

I don't know about that, legalising cannabis will create a few industry's that would certainly help Ireland. We got rich (for a while) building houses we didn't need, imagine how much wealth we could produce selling the many products that can be made out of the cannabis plant.

There's medical and recreational cannabis and then hemp. With oil based products like synthetic fibres becoming more and more expensive the only real alternative is the product they replaced in the first place, hemp.

If we where the first to legalise cannabis growing our farmers could get a head start on the rest of the world selling essential hemp.

For a country of Ireland's size that could create enough jobs to replace the building sector and bring in enough money to support other sectors.

Go-Go-Gadget · 30-03-2011 9:15am

Was thinking about it over the last few days.

Legalising cannabis wouldn't bring us out of recession as by the time all the industries are set up we will already be out of a recession.

However, by legalising cannabis we would increase tourism and would be able to export hemp related products e.g. textiles, paper, biodegradable plastics and construction materials.

I think it would provide a large number of jobs and state income. If the recession was to go on for another ten years, yes I think it could possibly pull Ireland out of recession. However, we wont be in a recession that long.

It would provide alot of jobs in the meantime though so while we would still be in a recession the unemployed people who get jobs out of it would feel as if we weren't

maccored · 30-03-2011 10:48am

considering we have to pay billions interest per year on a loan that will never be paid, we'll more than likely be in recessions for decades.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 30-03-2011 10:54am

mikom wrote: »

Things look to be on the move in the UK....

That's f*cking weird. The UK is really yoyo-ing on their position on the status of cannabis the last few years

ScumLord · 30-03-2011 1:41pm

Go-Go-Gadget wrote: »

Legalising cannabis wouldn't bring us out of recession as by the time all the industries are set up we will already be out of a recession.

I don't see how we're going to just come out of the recession. There needs to be an industry there that Ireland can be better at than anyone else.

In most industries we're at a loss, we can't match cheap manufacturing, we have a chance with IT but we're still only getting hand me down jobs from other countries and it's mostly our tax system that gets them here, they certainly don't come here to take advantage of our high tech infrastructure.

The cannabis industry could be absolutely huge in so many ways, as it seems legalisation is going to be on the cards in the future we'd do well to get a head start on the rest.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 30-03-2011 1:52pm

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't know about that, legalising cannabis will create a few industry's that would certainly help Ireland. We got rich (for a while) building houses we didn't need, imagine how much wealth we could produce selling the many products that can be made out of the cannabis plant.

We could even use the abandoned houses for growing the stuff. 2 birds with plenty stoned.

Oh_Noes · 31-03-2011 9:59pm

Germany legalising for medical use: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5921523,00.html

The German health ministry has announced plans to legalize medical use of marijuana, prompting praise from advocates for patients with chronic pain and terminal illnesses.

Top policy makers in the German government have agreed on plans to allow prescriptions for medical marijuana for seriously ill patients, according to an announcement by the German health ministry.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin on Tuesday, Health Minister Philipp Roesler said the plan could be carried out by a simple change in the ministry's policy, and that no change in German law was necessary.
He added that because many other European countries already allow medical cannibis, the process in Germany could go "quickly in comparison."
Many health professionals consider marijuana useful for the relief of nausea and the stimulation of appetite in chemotherapy or AIDS patients, and for general pain relief. But medical marijuana has been effectively illegal in Germany, with only 40 patients in the entire country having obtained cannabis prescriptions.
Praise from medical community
Health professionals and advocates for the seriously ill welcomed the change, with Eugen Brysch of the German Hospice Foundation saying cannabis can play "an important role" in the treatment of the critically ill.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Many other European countries already allow medicinal marijuana
"Because it is disproportionately difficult to obtain cannabis as medicine, many patients with chronic pain are currently forced into illegality," he said.
Gerhard Mueller-Schwefe, president of the German Society for Pain Therapy, said that the policy change would open up new drug therapy options for patients with chronic pain diseases like multiple sclerosis, and that "it's time to bring cannabis out from the shadows."
The change in policy is also to allow hospices and specialized ambulances to use certain high-strength anesthetics like morphine, and to store surplus supplies for emergencies.
This "will legalize a practice that pain therapists and palliative health professionals have long administered out of necessity," Mueller-Schwefe said. "It would always happen that doctors needed to order opioids for patients on the weekend, when pharmacies didn't have any in stock."

mikom · 01-04-2011 12:23am

Oh_Noes wrote: »

Germany legalising for medical use: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5921523,00.html

"it's time to bring cannabis out from the shadows."
Quoted for truth.

whoopdedoo · 01-04-2011 8:41pm

isn't it time the governments stopped the lie that has kept cannabis from all those who need it! knowing our luck we'll be the last country in the world to admit it.

makes me hate Harney even more now that lots of other countries in the eu are changing their policies for drugs in general and all we got from our geebag health minister is the government is seeking legal advice on the matter!

this lie that cannabis has no health benefits is really on it's last legs here and it should be legalised sooner rather than later imo!

Lefticus Loonaticus · 04-04-2011 7:00pm

http://www.thejournal.ie/european-ombudsman-touched-by-irishman-who-cant-bring-medicinal-marijuana-home-115120-May2011/

An Irish man who suffers from multiple sclerosis cannot travel back to Ireland from Holland because his medication includes cannabis. The Irish government will not grant him immunity from arrest if he travels back.

In reality he could just come back and buy some here without making an epic scandal of it. Maybe the dutch stuff is more powerful

?

Surely in this case, the law is clearly an ass and is counter to the health and well being of this individual. He should break it, hes well within his right to and would have huge public support if any arm of the state tried to interfere with him.

Oh_Noes · 04-04-2011 7:18pm

whoopdedoo wrote: »

isn't it time the governments stopped the lie that has kept cannabis from all those who need it! knowing our luck we'll be the last country in the world to admit it.

makes me hate Harney even more now that lots of other countries in the eu are changing their policies for drugs in general and all we got from our geebag health minister is the government is seeking legal advice on the matter!

this lie that cannabis has no health benefits is really on it's last legs here and it should be legalised sooner rather than later imo!

We've also had absolutely no statement from the new Health Minister Dr James Reilly on this either yet. Hopefully someone in the Dail who's not Luke Flanagan hears about it and pushes the government in the Dail.

If the previous government publicly stated that it's "seeking legal advice on the matter" in September then surely there has been a conclusion by now. They can't simply ignore the issue, there are too many people with an interest in it.

HavingCrack · 04-04-2011 8:13pm

Oh_Noes wrote: »

We've also had absolutely no statement from the new Health Minister Dr James Reilly on this either yet. Hopefully someone in the Dail who's not Luke Flanagan hears about it and pushes the government in the Dail.
it.

James Reilly is as socially conservative as they come as regards drugs to be honest. As a whole the Fine Gael Party appear to be very much pro prohibitionist. Actually maybe prohibitonist is not accurate but certainly very much in favour of keeping the status quo in place.

PeakOutput · 04-04-2011 8:53pm

Oh_Noes wrote: »

We've also had absolutely no statement from the new Health Minister Dr James Reilly on this either yet. Hopefully someone in the Dail who's not Luke Flanagan hears about it and pushes the government in the Dail.

If the previous government publicly stated that it's "seeking legal advice on the matter" in September then surely there has been a conclusion by now. They can't simply ignore the issue, there are too many people with an interest in it.

enda kenny has said publicly and very simply that his goverment will not be legalising marijuana

mikom · 04-04-2011 8:55pm

PeakOutput wrote: »

enda kenny has said publicly and very simply that his goverment will not be legalising marijuana

Leo Varadkar said "not another cent for the banks" before the election.
These guys will flex if they are made to.

Lefticus Loonaticus · 04-04-2011 9:35pm

mikom wrote: »

Leo Varadkar said "not another cent for the banks" before the election.
These guys will flex if they are made to.

And in breaking news, major riots have been averted at the last moment when the Lab/FG coalition fast tracked legislation for the legalization of marijuana...........

Minister Varadkar: "Just chill guys"

HavingCrack · 04-04-2011 9:42pm

mikom wrote: »

Leo Varadkar said "not another cent for the banks" before the election.
These guys will flex if they are made to.

There isn't enough support for cannabis legalisation here at the moment , certainly not from the good old conservative Fine Gael. Kenny's not a young politician you have to remember, likewise with Noonan, Bruton, Nolan etc. They would certainly not being legalisation's natural supporters. Nothing will change with this lot in charge for the foreseeable future.

baldbear · 04-04-2011 11:12pm

Heres an earlier story of the Galway man with MS who takes cannabis for medicinal purposes. It should be allowed for people with certain illnesses.

http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/ms-sufferer,-stopped-from-entering-country,-slams-local-tds/

Oh_Noes · 04-04-2011 11:24pm

PeakOutput wrote: »

enda kenny has said publicly and very simply that his goverment will not be legalising marijuana

He footnoted that with something about making exception for people with a medical need.

At any rate, what's happening in other EU states will influence any changes in the law here far more than anything our own politicians can do.

Cannabis should be legalized in Ireland To pull Our country out of ression

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