Ireland Moves towards Cannabis Legalisation Thanks to a Minister Open to Legislative Change

Ireland is already taking its first steps towards the legalisation of marijuana. Aodhán Or Ríordáin, a few months ago Minister of State for Drugs Strategy, has made clear since he assumed his post that he supports the decriminalisation of cannabis.

Current legislation expires next year, and one of Ríordáin's goals is to study the new cannabis strategy. Thus far he has argued that addiction problems should be treated by the health system and not by the justice system.

The minister, who confessed to having tried some substances during a trip to Amsterdam, seems willing to proceed so that marijuana is legalised in Ireland. In autumn he will present a report before the Council of Ministers on the situation in the country, which could be a step leading to a change in the Illegal Drug Use Law.

A few days ago Ríordáin met with local and regional representatives and consumers to hear their points of view and to study how legalisation can become a reality. The meeting also addressed how to “lift the stigma and culture of guilt” affecting consumers of substances like marijuana.

Afterwards Ríordáin told the "Irish Times" that there was broad consensus at the meeting for decriminalisation, but also indicated that “there are some question marks and points of discussion” on how to carry it out. The main challenge he will face is potential legislative opposition to his proposals.

It remains to be seen whether Ireland will join the green revolution, but a turn towards legalisation is already underway.