A recent survey that was conducted by Rec C, indicates that roughly 92% of the Irish population is in favor of supporting the right of individuals to use cannabis for medical purposes. Women were also seen to be more favorable toward the plant compared to men. But the rate of agreement for the use of cannabis was seen to decline with the age of the respondent.
These are quite promising results though, showing that perhaps over 90% of the population is ready to see some changes.
Political representatives met earlier this month in order to discuss the topic of cannabis reform within Ireland. And the Department of Health has indicated that they are committed to the possibility of reviewing old policies and making possible changes if need be for the future. There is no doubt that many would say it is about time that they stopped trying to prevent their citizens from engaging in the victimless crime of ingesting this natural plant.
Is it any surprise that the older respondents from the survey were seen to cling a little harder to their anti-cannabis beliefs? It's difficult to undo decades of anti-cannabis propaganda that they have most likely been subjected to. Especially when the majority of them still only get their information from local newspapers and local television channels.
Many doctors who are treating their patients with cannabis today will tell you that they had to go "outside of the system" of traditional learning, in order to do their own research and discover the possible benefits surrounding this plant. And there is a growing number of doctors around the world who are embracing this plant for medical purposes, because they have seen first-hand the kind of remedy it can provide to their patients.
And now citizens in Ireland might be able to soon choose a natural treatment method via cannabis as well, if their nation decides to embrace what many seem to be the inevitable.
A nation that is so well-known for its prevalence of binge-drinking and overall love for alcohol, shouldn't be so hypocritical in refusing to embrace the natural right of individuals to choose what they want to put into their body even if that is cannabis.
Another recent survey from a few weeks ago, by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol, along with help from others, revealed that cannabis is still the most popular “illegal” drug for individuals in Ireland. Isn't it time they stop making criminals where there doesn't need to be? Stop criminalizing a plant and get on with focusing on more important matters.
For now, cannabis advocates in the country have hope of the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Bill 2016 being passed, which was a bill that was just launched in Dublin not long ago. The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has indicated that he hopes to receive some feedback on the matter as early as January 2017, and then some possible changes might be implemented from there.
Pics:
AlcoholIreland
HighTimes
Sources:
http://www.thejournal.ie/cannabis-medical-use-2890310-Jul2016/
http://www.newstalk.com/reader/47.301/87657/0/
http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0721/803789-education-ombudsman-debate/
http://www.weednews.co/irelands-minister-for-health-plans-to-take-action-on-medical-marijuana-in-january/
http://www.newstalk.com/Cannabis-is-the-most-popular-illegal-drug-in-Ireland
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/simon-harris-pledges-to-take-action-on-medicinal-cannabis-1.2861990