Is Cannabis Legal in Ireland?
Getting the answer to the question, “Is cannabis legal in Ireland?” depends on a few things. For starters, it’s important to know that marijuana is not legal in all parts of Ireland. However, it’s legal in certain regions and there are several medical uses for the herb.
Penalties For Possession of Cannabis in Public Places
Depending on the quantity and the circumstances, penalties for possession of cannabis in public places in Ireland range from imprisonment to fines. The minimum imprisonment penalty for a first offence is three months to twelve months, while for more serious offences it can be up to five years or longer.
Penalties for possession of cannabis are different from those for the sale of the drug. The Penal Code is not affected by recidivism, but the penalty can be suspended for treatment. It can also be suspended if the offender is dependent on another person and requests treatment.
If the offender is in possession of drugs for personal use, it is punishable by a fine of up to 208-400 EUR. For a second offence within one year, the fine is a minimum of 120-200 EUR. For a third offence, the fine is a minimum of 400 EUR.
In addition to the fine, the offender can be placed on probation for one year. The probation may be extended by the public prosecutor. The offender must submit to a treatment re-education programme. If the offender ignores the court order, he or she can be detained in a custodial treatment centre.
Growing Cannabis in Ireland is Illegal But Possessing Seeds is Not
Despite the fact that the cultivation of cannabis in Ireland is illegal, there are people growing it for personal use. In fact, a recent survey shows that around 20% of the youth population uses cannabis.
The Irish government has made a move towards decriminalizing medical marijuana. But the country is still lagging behind many European countries.
There have been many proposals to legalise cannabis in Ireland. One of them is from Niall Neligan, who is the founder of the drug policy law reform group Fweed. His plan aims to decriminalise cannabis and also eliminate the black market. He believes it can have a positive impact on public health.
Neligan’s plans are a big step towards changing the current cannabis laws in Ireland. He hopes the proposal will boost the economy, benefit scientific research, and protect children.
The country is considered a socially conservative country, although some political parties are arguing for the recreational use of cannabis to be legalised. They have called for cultivation of two plants per private residence to be regulated.
Medical Uses of Cannabis in Ireland
Medicinal uses of cannabis in Ireland are set to be introduced via a prescription. The government has set up a five-year medical cannabis access programme, allowing doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis for certain conditions.
The Health Service Executive will reimburse qualifying patients for medical cannabis products. The scheme will be operated on a pilot basis for five years, with a reassessment of the programme in the future.
The scheme is designed for patients with severe epilepsy or spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. It will also be available to chemotherapy patients suffering intractable nausea.
The Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) is designed to provide a safe, legal and cost-effective route for patients to access medicinal cannabis. It is the first step in the health service’s plan to legalise cannabis for medical use. The scheme will provide patients with access to a range of cannabis-based products, dispensed from pharmacies.
To obtain a medical licence, an application must be submitted by a specialist doctor, who must be in a position to provide evidence of a specific medical condition. The application must also be supported by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient.
Legalization of Medicinal Cannabis in The UK
Medicinal cannabis is currently legal in Ireland and England. It can be prescribed by specialist doctors. Those doctors must make their decisions on a case-by-case basis.
The UK Government commissioned a report by the Chief Medical Officer that concluded there was conclusive evidence of therapeutic benefit for certain medical conditions. Those medical conditions included severe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and pain.
The report concluded that cannabis holds therapeutic benefits for these conditions, but that further clinical trials are needed to evaluate its safety and effectiveness. The Government accepted the report’s recommendations and announced a review of cannabis scheduling.
Following a national debate, the government changed the law to allow doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis. The Home Office clarified that the move does not mean the legalisation of recreational cannabis use.
Previously, medical cannabis was classified as a Class A substance, meaning that it was not considered to have therapeutic value. However, following a review, it was moved to Schedule 2 of the pharmacopeia, meaning that it may be prescribed for medicinal use in certain circumstances.
