Is Ireland Legalizing Medical Marijuana?
By Keith Mansur
Oregon Cannabis Connection
December 3, 2016 — Ireland is getting very close to approving medical marijuana. On December 2nd the Dáil Éireann, Ireland’s lower house in their legislature, passed a bill to make cannabis legal for medicinal use. The bill would legalize the herb for serious illnesses like cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, among others. The sponsor, People Before Profit TD (or Member of Parliament) Gino Kenny, said that if finalized it would give doctors the power to decide if their patients would benefit from medical marijuana according to RTÉ. The bill was passed the Dáil without a vote.
Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, will be advised by the Dáil’s committees concerning the scientific and clinical value of the plant. The department said in a statement that Simon Harris was “committed to reviewing policy on medicinal cannabis”. They hope it will be legal by spring.
According to a recent survey, over 90% of Irish people believe in medical cannabis access.
The research, conducted by Rec C and commissioned by non-profit health organisation Help Not Harm, shows that levels of support are highest in Munster counties at 94%.
Women also showed high favourability towards the move, compared with 90% of men.
“The people have compassion enough to provide necessary treatment for those who need it, it’s now up to legislators to follow their lead”, Tom Curran, a Deputy Director of Help Not Harm said.
Lets hope Ireland joins the sane nations and states that have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Maybe England can loosen up and join the realm of the legal marijuana nations.
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