Cannabis And Compassion

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From top: Minister for Health Simon Harris (left) and People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny; A tweet from Mr Kenny this morning

On June 26,  2019, the Minister for Health Simon Harris signed legislation to allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme on a pilot basis for five years

In the Dáil on Wednesday, People Before Profit TD and medicinal cannabis campaigner Gino Kenny questioned the Minister on the “lack of progress” of the scheme.

He claimed not one person has been prescribed cannabis under the programme.

Gino Kenny: “On countless occasions over the past four years I have raised the issue of the medical cannabis access programme. This time last year the Minister announced that the programme would be functional. That was underpinned for,

I understand, the first time in medical history by a statutory instrument which allowed people to access medical cannabis legally. The Minister said he expected people to be prescribed medical cannabis by the Autumn. Does he know how many people have been prescribed medical cannabis under the programme? The answer is not one person.

“Not a week goes by without parents of very vulnerable children ringing me to ask how they can get access to medical cannabis because their children are in desperate situations. I have run out of things to say to these parents. I can only say so much. They return to their doctors who tell them they do not know anything about the programme. Access has been four years in the making. It is referenced in the programme for Government, which is welcome, but the Minister has to give a commitment to parents and patients on getting access to medical cannabis under the programme. Can he give a commitment on this in his last couple of weeks as Minister for Health?”

Simon Harris: “While we might not agree on everything, Deputy Kenny’s sincerity and work rate on this is something I fully respect. He did a massive amount of work on this in the last Dáil and I know he will continue that in this Dáil.

“While I might not have gone as far as he would like, the Deputy certainly helped change and influence my position by introducing me to a number of people to whom this was very important. While he is right in the context of the compassionate access programme, we do need it open and I will give him a commitment to return to him with a written update on that within a week. There were a number of different elements and a number of people were repositioned during the Covid crisis. In my final days as a member of this Government, I would like to get the Deputy a written update and try to progress that.

“I say to the parents the Deputy is referencing that the ministerial licence scheme is available. While I know it is not ideal for everyone, I am signing them regularly – I think I signed two last week. In addition to that avenue, we have also come to funding support arrangements for a number of people under that. I want to get the compassionate access programme and I will get the Deputy a detailed written update this week.”

Previously: Gino Kenny on Broadsheet

Oireachtas.ie

Meanwhile…

 

Green Party TD Ossian Smyth

Dublin TD Ossian Smyth revealed that the Greens wanted to legalise cannabis but the idea was torpedoed by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

He told members: “In drug use, I argued for the legislation of cannabis.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael said no but what they did agree to was to extend the use of cannabis for palliative care because of course people who are dying should have any pain relief that they need and also to have a Citizen’s Assembly on drugs.”

Greens Party wanted to legalise cannabis but were shot down by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in negotiation (The Irish Sun)

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20 thoughts on “Cannabis And Compassion

  1. Johnny

    Has anyone besides me actually read Gino’s bill and work-his heart is in right place but he hasn’t a clue.
    Coffee its early I trow something up later-grow you own is only way to go,so Gino where was that section in your bill..

    1. Johnny

      …6 plants is max in the most liberal states and is way more than enough even for Mike Tyson’s personal use -the chap in IT was dealing-sorry giving away free medicine yeah right…its the mustache puts me right off

      1. jamesjoist

        Seeds can be purchased in numerous locations in Ireland but it’s illegal to germinate them .

        1. Johnny

          -yes Ireland has a great seed bank,smelly hippies have been brining them back for decades but I have no idea how well they have been looked after, its all so fooking mickey mouse the whole thing.

          1. jamesjoist

            They are actually sold in specialist shops , packaged nicely in tins or airtight plastic bags , mostly of Dutch origin but the legal constraints still apply .

          2. Johnny

            The dutch are only now allowing growing on a trial basis, again its all off market,black market stuff,fake claims as to what it is-Ireland has a great reputation amongst hobbyists for its seed banks,I think West Cork has some outstanding strains.
            We have a genetics division,I’m the hydro power/lighting/cooling/alternative energy chap-I can ask them about Ireland but Americans have commented to me on Galways great weed.

  2. Johnny

    Anyone know what an ounce or a pound costs in Dublin-off average to bad home grow,trying do some math on the medicine mans stash and grow-he had 9 plants and a small time home grow-sounds like a back room set up so probably 3 maybe 4 harvests a year of poor quality weed?

    Regarding Greens-SF has also taken a similar position to FG/FF.

    1. Clampers Outside

      It can vary…..
      That said, 7 grams (or 1/4 ounce) at €100 for flower; and €40 for a 1/4 of resin. Price improves a bit on volume.

      1. Johnny

        thank you clampers outside.-im going with a pound a plant per harvest-but checking in with our head grower or master grower before finalizing the math on the grow,just to illustrate the savings for medical patients with growing your own.

        1. Johnny

          -just got the word from my grower so…its all about the light per watt and grams per light and the manipulation of the plants, assume the IT (link above) guy was using 100 watts light-it mentions he had a industrial grade lighting system.

          9 plants yielding 1.5 pounds per harvest is 13.5 pounds per harvest.

          When you hear the guards say oh we seized 100 million, its simply the price which using Clampers intel is 400 an ounce or 6,400 per pound which is not correct.

          Today in NY a decent ounce is 300 dollars a pound is around 2,500.

          Instead simply using 6,400 per pound (st ounce x 16) I’m going with 4,000 a pound for indoor Irish bud/ flower as in the above situation.

          We have 13.5 pounds per harvest at 4,000 per pound – 54,000 per harvest.

          Any half decent grower should get 5 harvests a year or 270,000- so grow your own:)

          Costs this small grow – next to nothing, first harvest paid for it all-this small time not very efficient black op (gorilla grow) should easily net about 200,000 a year.

  3. Johnny

    Its Friday morning not even 7am in the Hamptons,sun is coming up I’m going for a nice long run,fine John Ryan I will work on a Johnny Green piece for next week:)
    The Irish govt wasted too much time meeting lobbyists for Big Weed,instead of legislating for home grow under compassion grounds-but 6 plants is more than enough.
    What I’d like put up is a really long piece on drug laws and how they allow the police in states to harass the African American community-so John you put that up I do Johnny Green write up!

  4. phil

    I genuinely would like to hear from FF/FG what their top 3 concerns are , even if those concerns are not backed up by expert advice or research.

    I suffer from chronic pain myself, I find the opiates Im prescribed for pain of little use. I often have to make a choice , do I want to work or do I want to spend the day in bed drooling, and then a couple of days recovering from the drugs.

    The opiates also started to change my personality , now to be fair, it may be a combination of the pain and opiates. So I try not to take them , but the pain can be very difficult to deal with…

    A friend offered me some cannabis to try to see if it would be any help. That helped a little, but not to the degree Id risk getting in trouble with the law.

    The way in which it helped : It didn’t really diminish the pain, but it helped my mental state, it kinda moved my continuousness to one side, where I was able to objectively see the pain and not get too upset by it, kinda accept the pain, and best of all I was able to read, which was a great comfort to me. there were no side effects the following day, but I didn’t consume it long term, so there may be some for a long term consumer.

    I do accept if it was legal, and prescribed , it would bankrupt me .

    1. Johnny

      -can you micro-dose psilocybin mushroom (magic) in Irl ?
      -that will get you out bed, legal weed in Irl is covered under insurance, thats one the hold ups,the UN drug treaty and that seat was another…

      1. phil

        Im not sure, but my head is messed up enough without trying mushrooms. I may be speaking out of turn here, as you say micro-dose, so I assume you mean microscopic doses that I wouldn’t even notice.

        I take your point RE insurance, that likely would politically be a huge sticking point …

        1. Johnny

          -just get stuck into the s’hrooms,what could go wrong:)
          -get ye to a alternative care physician forget big Pharma
          -hey I so do NOT want be giving anyone medical advice
          -my suggestion is try some alternative paths, yoga,mindfulness,acupuncture,
          -but ALL under a holistic balanced approach to wellness,so diet,exrecise,spiritually.
          -but seriously do some research online,check out the forums,empower and heal yourself.
          -I’m not sure if I’m allowed post pieces on micro dosing and all that-but please go see a alternative health professional before trying anything.

          apols about the writing,rushing about but wanted getback to you.

          1. Johnny

            Good man-id got with a Gorilla Grow tent-if im allowed I can put up full set specs to set up,say a 6 plant home grow.

            Absolutely start growing,your healths most important or if you have an elderly relative who wants make some dead presidents, set it up there:)

            Stay well man, wishing you a full recovery,do some research and take control your health, you can do it.

    2. Johnnythree

      Phil, sorry to hear t hat. Have you looked at John Sarno? As a chronic pain sufferer he changed my life. Suspend your judgement and look! You have my sympathy – chronic pain is awful.

      1. phil

        Cheers Johnnythree,

        Others wouldnt believe, but no fault on them, but it is nice to hear the words…

        Ill look into him

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