Introduction
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Ireland, with usage rates and associated health harms steadily increasing over the past two decades. Regulation of cannabis in Ireland has remained rooted within a prohibitionist policy framework despite a substantially altered political and sociocultural context (Rálaigh and Morton, 2021). The authors, Rálaigh and Morton in the provided excerpt, address the regulatory framework surrounding the decriminalization of cannabis in Ireland. Specifically, it explores the attitudes of lawmakers toward the authorization of recreational cannabis. Ireland’s policy framework regarding the regulation of this drug has largely leaned towards the prohibitionist side, despite considerable attempts aimed at changing the existing drug use policy. While several other European countries and American nations have largely established regulatory changes to the production, commercialization, and use of cannabis, Ireland is still hesitant to make policy changes on the use of cannabis (Smyth et al. 2019). Within the context of Rálaigh and Morton’s article, this essay discusses hesitancy by the government in changing existing drug policy, especially recreational cannabis, despite popular support by some lawmakers to decriminalize the drug.
Understanding of Cannabis in Ireland
The phrase recreational cannabis is described as the non-medicinal use of the drug rather than for medicinal purposes. Decriminalization refers to the process of stopping to treat what was once criminal as legal (Mason et al., 2021). Legalization can be defined as the action of allowing something that was considered forbidden to be allowed by law. It is usually used to illustrate supply instead of possession of illicit drugs.
Cannabis in Ireland has a protracted history spanning to around 19th century. Ireland has recorded a considerable impact in many areas, with medicinal cannabis being one of the major aspects. Historically, Dr. William Brooke, an Irish physician, was among the first Europeans to do extensive research on the medicinal values of cannabis while he was working for the British authorities in India in 1830. Brooke’s work later generated widespread interest among other scholars across Europe, North America, and other regions of the world. However, in the mid-20th century, the world witnessed a global crackdown on the plant. Ireland, then as now, still imposes strict laws on the usage of marijuana. Efforts to shift this status quo have attracted considerable support from activists and policymakers (Rálaigh and Morton, 2021). Reduced commitment by successive governments infers the plant is not officially allowed for recreational purposes in the country. Despite the strict regulation coupled with growing violence from criminal enterprises, marijuana usage remains prevalent in Ireland.
Existing Cannabis Policy in Ireland
Fears about the impacts of cannabis on public health and safety prompted strict regulations on drugs. Ireland’s cannabis law has been in existence since its enactment in the early 1930s as part of efforts to conform with relevant international agreements (Seddon and Floodgate, 2020). Comparatively, other countries, such as the Netherlands, resorted to implementing a different strategy that permits the police to allow the sale of the plant in coffee shops. It helps to distinguish cannabis from other illicit substances commonly found in the market. The policy change has been successful since its commencement in 1976. However, the situation has largely remained different in Ireland despite other European nations making significant policy strides aimed at accommodating the use of the plant in a more open and regulated way. Specifically, in 1977, Ireland ratified the Misuse of Drugs Bill, which distinguishes cannabis and other substances in the market.
Since the operationalization of the Misuse of Drugs law, the policy status has remained unchanged. At some stage, some political groupings opposed the policy change, while some minor parties championed the legal regulations. In 2013, attempts to change the policy to allow legal regulations of cannabis were overwhelmingly defeated in parliament. The proposal was rejected by lawmakers who feel that amendments to the existing policy framework are not appropriate and that recreational marijuana has no benefits.
More recently, a confluence of issues regarding cannabis has started, though it failed to hit the maximum levels as was previously witnessed. For example, there has been a recent upsurge in plant usage rates, growth in tetrahydrocannabinol potency heights, and increased ailments and treatment frequencies (Rálaigh and Morton, 2021). Cases of high synthetic cannabinoid utilization coupled with drug-related intimidation, especially in working-class neighborhoods, are also on the rise. Vera Twomey’s and other activists had fruitful public campaigns about accessing cannabis for medicinal activities. In 2019, the government allowed on a pilot basis, the introduction of medical cannabis. However, possessing the plant on other grounds outside what is allowed in the medicinal cannabis pilot program is still subject to existing laws and may include penalties such as fines and possible imprisonment. Furthermore, cultivating marijuana can lead to even harsher consequences if caught.
Recent policy advancements in Ireland influenced the evolving global policy framework. The decriminalization of banned drugs such as cannabis and the lawful regulation of the plant has topped regulatory change not only in Ireland but also in Europe and the Americas. Eleven European nations have contrasting magnitudes of authorization laws contained within their corresponding criminal codes, while Canada, Uruguay, Mexico, and 17 US states have enacted policy changes, allowing cannabis usage (Seddon and Floodgate, 2020). Moreover, in 2015, the parliament of Ireland established a team to investigate legal substitutes to criminal authorizations related to the custody of illegal substances. Consequently, the government of Ireland espoused the health division approach that provides options for outlawing for the initial two occasions in which an individual is caught with illicit for personal use. The government has since remained reluctant despite committing to convene the people’s assembly to address the illicit drug policy and use.
The implementation of these laws takes a huge portion of the public resources and there exist cases where grow-houses are being managed by organized crime entities going as far as using trafficked workers. Based on the European Union drug market account, Ireland tops in Europe with the highest rate of illicit psychoactive cannabis usage, with about 25.3 percent of adults have attempted to use the plant (Millar et al., 2021). Moreover, the country is struggling with other growing cases of opioid usage that are not only draining efforts but also resources. The government is contemplating other approaches, such as creating a supervised station for heroin injection as well as adopting the drug policy of Portugal. In Portugal, possessing small volumes of drugs is no longer regarded as a criminal act (Seddon and Floodgate, 2020). This has resulted in better health outcomes for the country with a strict policy on drug usage. There is also firm public support for the utilization of the plant for medical reasons.
Drug Policy and Alcohol in Ireland
It appears that there is growing support for changing the policy relating to cannabis usage in Ireland. Many people have misconceptions regarding cannabis and its impacts, often likening it to alcohol, which has created considerable problems in the nation. Moreover, some factions in society believe that legalizing cannabis for recreational use could result in a disturbing social scene, one that is calmer than the current culture of drinking in nightclubs and bars. Additionally, some factions show that cannabis might even assist with issues relating to alcohol addiction in the country. Whereas it is uncertain if the country will soon move to recreational cannabis legalization, it is worth contemplating the potential drawbacks and benefits of such policy change.
Whereas change has often characterized the drug policy in Ireland, it has been shown as slow and gradual. It also features protracted periods of whole quiescence combined with frenzied bursts of activities. In 1980s, Ireland witnessed increased consumption of illicit drugs, resulting in an amendment to the Misuse of Drug Bill. The second crisis occurred in the 1990s following the killing of Veronica Guerin, an impeccable journalist, by criminal elements dealing in drug trading. Her murder led to the establishment of a national drug strategy. Another crisis happened around 2009 when novel psychoactive substances gained access into the drug landscape of Ireland, triggering health detrimental health concerns. Swift legislative changes were initiated to help close the allowed supply of novel psychoactive substances and the shutting of shops that had already infiltrated the drug trading environment (Rálaigh and Morton, 2021). Recently, growing consumption trends and a related increase in health dangers have largely been caused by heightened violet criminal undertakings, resulting in further policy actions to curb the menace.
Policy Challenges to Legalizing Cannabis in Ireland
Following critical analysis of the research article and assessment of drug policy developments in the country, it is apparent that one of the key challenges to legalizing cannabis for personal use includes political opposition. The old politicians tend to discourage the use of cannabis for medical use. Older lawmakers tend to believe that cannabis does not bring any medicinal benefit and should also not be considered for any recreational use. Perhaps the lawmakers anchor their arguments in previous studies that trivialize the use of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. According to Smyth and Cannon (2022), the medical profession is required to engage more in this marijuana discussion and ensure that any drug policy in the country is genuinely health-led in practice. Moreover, the public should be more aware of the perceived therapeutic efficacy and the dangers linked to marijuana.
However, revelations by some younger politicians show increased support for the policy shift. Older politicians lack the appetite to decriminalize drugs for recreational use. Some younger lawmakers are more willing to implement the changes. They even question whether it is fear or backlash from public opinion. Moreover, party politics ensure that even transformative ideas aimed at establishing a policy shift on cannabis use are shunned since it is unpopular with the government agenda.
Recommendation
To contribute to this highly contentious matter of legalizing cannabis for recreational purposes, the paper recommends a shift in policy akin to the structure in Portugal. It appears that the majority of young lawmakers support the new change despite a restrictive handling of the matter. To ensure the effective operationalization of this proposed law, the government should decriminalize the possession of meager amounts of marijuana and consider adopting the Portuguese model (Rálaigh and Morton, 2021). Countries such as the Netherlands have successfully explored the concept without any itches, with the system becoming popular. Ireland should consider policy benchmarking with countries that have successfully deployed recreational cannabis use as part of efforts to guide its implementation roadmap. While it is indefinite if the country will soon move to cannabis legalization for personal use, it is worth considering the potential drawbacks and benefits of the policy change. Illicit trading of the plant can be halted by a simple shift in policy.
Conclusion
Whereas international laws obligate nations to impose criminal proceedings for supplying various drugs for non-medicinal reasons, some jurisdictions are establishing exceptions to this. A system of cannabis use has been illegal in Ireland but accepted in the Netherlands since 1976. In other regions, such as California, U.S. medical marijuana has been allowed for use for treating symptoms such as chronic pain. Other countries have remained adamant about adopting a policy that relates to the legalization of marijuana.
Despite stringent laws and enforcement, marijuana use is still widespread, and the outlawing of possession and farming has resulted in a drain on resources and a climb in gang-related violence. The regime has been contemplating harm reduction strategies and matching the drug regulation of Portugal, which has produced positive outcomes regarding public health. There is also robust public support for the usage of marijuana for medical benefits. Despite these advantages and public opinion, the administration has yet to take any action on the issue of cannabis. Possibly, a change in the country’s cannabis acts may be essential to address these concerns and align with shifting attitudes toward the drug. Like many other nations, Ireland has paid a hefty cost for the tenacity of the War on Drugs coupled with the failure of the marijuana ban.
Reference List
Mason, A., Sami, M., Notley, C. and Bhattacharyya, S. (2021) ‘Are researchers getting the terms used to denote different types of recreational cannabis, right? A user perspective’, Journal of Cannabis Research, 3(1), pp. 12-22.
Millar, S.R., Mongan, D., O’Dwyer, C., Smyth, B.P., Perry, I.J. and Galvin, B. (2021) ‘Relationships between patterns of cannabis use, abuse and dependence and recent stimulant use: Evidence from two national surveys in Ireland’, PLoS one, 16(8), pp. 1-13.
Rálaigh, C.Ó. and Morton, S. (2021) ‘We don’t have any answers within the current framework: tensions within cannabis policy change in Ireland’, Drugs and Alcohol Today, 22(1), pp. 47-57.
Seddon, T. and Floodgate, W. (2020) Regulating cannabis: A global review and future directions. Cham: Springer Nature.
Smyth, B. P. and Cannon, M. (2022) ‘Cannabis and public health—a need to reclaim the narrative’, Irish Journal of Medical Science, 191(2), pp. 951-953.
Smyth, B. P., O’Farrell, A., & Daly, A. (2019) ‘Cannabis use and associated health problems–what’s the harm?’, Irish Medical Journal, 112(9), pp. 1-7.