Independent TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan recently launched the Cannabis Regulation Bill 2013 which is due to be voted on by the Dáil on November 6th. The bill allows for legal, regulated use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. Flanagan debated the topic on Ireland AM alongside the director of Schizophrenia Ireland, John Saunders.
“The broad idea behind legalising cannabis is to take what is a commonly used substance out of the criminal market and take it away from the type of people who shot Veronica Guerin. Put it into the legitimate taxed economy and put it into the subsequent revenue streams to help fund drug treatment for far more dangerous drugs,” says Flanagan.
Flanagan tries to dominate the interview but TV3 hosts openly laugh at what he has to say.
Too much of anything is bad for you and Saunders explains the health reasons behind the usage. “If you have a genetic or personal weakness towards psychosis or schizophrenia and you engage in heavy use of cannabis, the risk of you experiencing those symptoms is doubled. It also increases the risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, psychosis & cardiovascular problems.”
Interestingly as pointed out by Flanagan, decriminalising cannabis could mean €300m to the Irish economy.
What do you think?
By Donna Dunne
