A man in possession of cannabis that he used to treat the symptoms of his epilepsy has been fined €100.
I find it hard to believe that we are, in Ireland, still so far behind the times on this matter.
The medical and therapeutic applications of cannabis are well-known internationally. There are a handful of conditions for which cannabis appears to be the only effective treatment.
Why are we keeping citizens of Ireland from accessing safe and regulated medicinal cannabis?
I would like to see my representatives get out in front of this issue, rather than towing the line on something that any reasonable person can see makes absolutely no sense.
The prohibition of cannabis is a waste of taxpayers’ money, a drain on Garda time and resources, a strain on our already bulging courtrooms and (the crux of the matter) a wholly immoral exercise.
Stephen Maguire,
Dublin 14.
Cannabis and the law (The Irish Times letters page)
Pic: Wendy McCormick
Related: Man in possession of cannabis for epilepsy treatment fined €100 (Gordon Deegan, The Irish Times)
Pic: Medical Xpress
Here, here!
Hear, Hear!
Here hare here
True, I’m going back to using that spelling :)
I came here to get angry. So please, Cian, Rob_G, gimme your line on this. I imagine it’ll be along the lines of “it’s illegal” / “he broke the law” kind of official Ireland kowtowing.
Always nice to hear from the fans, Doctor :)
I think that cannabis campaigners sometimes overstate the effectiveness of cannabis as a medical cure-all, while at the same time understating the possible risks of recreational user. At the same time, I think there are definitely lots of areas where it could be very beneficial to patients, and the govt should facilitate this research.
I think prosecuting any adult for small amounts of drugs for their personal use is a waste of the judiciary’s resources.
If you would like my unique brand of insight on any other matters, you need only ask :)
Nah. I’m with Stephen (and Ben, below).
We need to investigate the positive properties of cannabis. We need to treat it like a medicine – and it should go through the same processes/procedures (systematic double-blind tests) to get scientific data on it’s effectiveness.
And if it is shown to be effective for particular uses – then allow it be prescribed.
On a recreational level – I believe it should not be illegal.
I presume you have read extensively on the topic when you imply no such studies have been carried out.
I didn’t mean to imply that no studies have been done. A few good studies have been carried out in specific areas.
All I am saying that it should go through the same testing as other treatments before being prescribed for particular ailments.
The BPS / British Psychological Society recently came out with an approval for cannabis law reform and its’ declassification.
Also, so are these lot rethinking their position on it…. “The Royal College of Physicians, British Medical Journal, British Medical Association and Royal Society for Public Health have also called for reform to the laws up to and including legalisation.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/09/royal-college-review-opposition-legalising-cannabis-despite/
hm .. i’m not angry at all, and a.. a .. ag .. aggg .. come on, doctor, you can say it .. agree .. i agree with a lot of what both of you said. christ. what’s happening.
I’m glad that we see eye-to-eye at least occasionally :)
perhaps you should self-prescribe some of the ‘killer weed’ to help you relax?
i smoke all the time, and honestly, it’s not that relaxing. Years ago i remember weed would give me fits of giggles and marvelling at stuff. Nowadays it just pins you to the couch and ya sit there thinkin about ur life. Very good for putting you to sleep tho.
Cannabis has some medicinal uses. The medical scientists have in some countries carried out serious research into these uses. Government and the Irish medical profession can examine the situation and take practical measures that will benefit patients needing cannabis. Cannabis generally is used among youngish people (and among some ageing hippies) as a recreational drug, often accompanied or preceded by alcohol. Some scientific surveys have found that if the drug is not harmful to the metabolism etc. it nevertheless can demotivate students at school and college. Teachers don’t want this kind of side effect. Governments and the Irish medical profession need to examine the data and review current legislation. Ireland currently has two major drug problems: a) alcohol abuse, and b) addiction to heavy illegal drugs like heroin and various tablet concoctions. The international trade in heavy illegal drugs has a lot to do with sensational gang murders that attract banner headlines in our newspapers every other week. Let us sort out the issues and take practical action as a society and as a sovereign state.
How does cannabis treat epilepsy exactly?
Why can’t we have a reasonable debate on the merits and demerits of folks self-administering psycho-active substances and why that needs to be controlled and regulated effectively rather than just this knee jerk bollocks?
Go look at research…asking here is pointless
This archaic law needs to go, be it recreational or medical.
It has no logic.
It was enacted based on lies and deceit
It has no benefit to society
There will always be addicts/people who overdulge.
It happens with drink, food, sex, exercise, work, you name it, someone overindulges.
The young people being affected in nonsense, educate.
All it does it put money in the hands of criminals.
And criminalise non criminals who just want to enjoy life (in a way that doesn’t affect others negatively) or treat a condition (as they should be allowed to do…their bodies)
Someone is benefiting/making money from it being banned
And there’s an industry built around fighting it and maintaining its illegality…and someone is making money from that too
Not sure how cannabis treats anything either, but one thing that annoys me is this poe faced narrative about research being needed, and about ‘reasonable debates’ being needed about civilians ‘self-administering psycho-active substances’ . Im looking at you @Institutionalise this! @Cian @Rob_G , sure you need all that if you want a private entity to produce and sell a product.
Im also not sure how I developed a chronic illness, in fact the 2 consultants I have haven’t a clue either, they have prescribed me numerous drugs that did fupp all apart from emptying my wallet, damage my hearing and other side effects that were unwelcome, and my consultants, they have no clue either why the drugs didnt work , and have no interest in the damaged their ‘experimentation’ has done to me, but did admit that they dont work for everyone, so they keep trying , a new drug every 6 months but to no avail …. Kinda reminds me of the warning stories you hear about kids experimenting with illegal drugs in nightclubs..
So one day , just to be awkward I contacted the CCPC office and told them about 2 regulated drugs that were prescribed to me that did not cure my illness, I suspect I was miss-sold the wrong product and wanted a refund, as you can imagine I was laughed off the phone …
So 12 months ago , I tried my own experimental drug , Ive never felt better, my consultant , well I cant fully describe how disinterested he is , however he does agree I have improved, and Im sure he is correct, but he says my improvement might just be as mysterious as the onset of my illness …
So here is what I would like to see, for the government to decriminalize it, and get out of the way , Ill make my own decisions about what I put into my body , and suffer my own concurrences…
@phil – sorry to hear about your illness, and I’m glad that you have it under control. We’re in agreement about decriminalisation: as I said above “On a recreational level – I believe it should not be illegal.”
(which I realise now is awkward wording) I suppose I should say “On a recreational level – I believe it should be legal.” or ever “cannabis should be decriminalized” ;-)
However, if people are going to use it as medication it needs to be regulated in the same way as medicines.
As an inpatient in St Pats I met 2 young lads that had drug induced psychosis. Both had smoked hash only. The docs reckon it was contaminated. The upshot is that the effects are permanent. They both have to be so heavily medicated that they cannot live an independent life. It’s desperately sad. Had the hash supply been controlled and regulated these 2 would probably been fine.
I used to work with a dude whose skull was smashed with a hammer. He had a pump in his forehead to pump his blood around his brain. He was in constant, severe pain. So, he smoked hash twice a day. Doing that he had a good life, a good job and last I heard he was engaged.
There’s a perfect example of someone that benefits from hash. His injuries arose by way of mistaken identity and he’s lucky to be alive. Again, safe, regulated supply is needed. He tried every conventional med but none worked.
It’s time to face reality and legislate accordingly.
It’ll be like repealing the 08th, politicians waiting for critical mass to build up in public.
once 50% threshold (b)reached, they’ll be wearing marijuana leaves on their lapels, like they do poppies for armistice, because they support will of the people, or some retarded PR shite of that nature.
it’s up to people, as usual