Ireland: an MP proposes the legalization of medical cannabis

Last week, Brid Smith, Member of the Irish Parliament, tabled a draft to authorize medical cannabis for patients suffering from serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or cancer.

«Ireland doesn't live not in its time».» say the bill's supporters. The chosen model would resemble certain US states: a specialized agency dedicated to cannabis, distributing licenses to specialized dispensaries.

In 2013, a deputy had already tabled a similar law, which was clearly rejected in the vote in the assembly by a score of 8 for and 111 against. The Minister of Health at the time, James Reilly, was vehemently opposed to this legislation. He relied on the theory of drug escalation, accusing cannabis of leading to other, more harmful drugs. In april 2015 a Secretary of State for drugs. After a year's work, he is one of the major supporters of this bill.

«Legalizing medicinal use and recreational use are two different debates».»

Congresswoman Smith, who initiated the 2016 bill, says: «Someone in pain would do anything possible to ease their pain. We cannot incriminate these people». She uses children as an example epileptics and autism treated with cannabis oil in the United States. In his statement to a virtually empty hall, She points out that sufferers already treat themselves as best they can, with cannabis oil for example.

The Irish MP is also counting on the newcomers to the Assembly to get things moving and cross the green line. She hopes that the bill can be debated by the end of the calendar year. However, she will need to find allies in the House, as her party represents only 6 of the 140 seats available at Dail Eireann. On the other hand, the two majority parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, seem adept at standing still.

With the issue divisive even within the parties and the government, all bets are off for the autumn.