Ireland to legalize medical cannabis

The Irish government will not oppose the medical cannabis bill which is expected to pass today in the Dáil, the lower house of the Irish Parliament.

The bill, available here, proposed by a coalition of left-wing parties, the Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit, which represents only 4% of the members of the House, and is sponsored by Representatives Gino Kenny and Richard Boyd Barrett, seeks to regulate the use of cannabis for medical purposes.

The proposed bill has already gained the support of opposition parties and independent members of the government. Health Minister Simon Harris’s decision not to block the bill means it will most likely be passed in the final stage of the process.

In announcing the government's decision, Simon Harris said he had been «very clear» about his intention to implement a regulatory policy.

«I share the concerns of patients who believe that cannabis should be a treatment option for certain conditions, and I recognize the urgency of the situation and the concerns they have.».

The Irish Health Committee recently received and reviewed a statement from a mother whose child has epilepsy has seen its situation improve after treatment with cannabis-based products.

The Minister then asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HRPA) to provide him with scientific and clinical research to inform him about possible changes to the legal framework governing medical cannabis.

The minister did, however, express some concerns about certain provisions in the bill, particularly the removal of cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act, the equivalent of France's 1970 Narcotics Act, which would legalize cannabis possession for everyone, including for recreational purposes.

The bill also proposes the establishment of two regulatory agencies: one to directly oversee supply, and the other to analyze risks and benefits of cannabis for medical and recreational uses. These roles could, however, be entrusted to the HRPA, which, according to Simon Harris, is already in a position to carry out these tasks.

So the green Erin should become even a little greener very soon.