Medical cannabis: Ireland announces legalization
Health Minister Simon Harris has announced the legalization of medical cannabis throughout the country, a five-year pilot project.
Five years to test medical cannabis in Ireland.
On June 26, Ireland announced the legalization of cannabis for medical use throughout the country via a press release. This is a five-year experiment to facilitate access to cannabis-based products. This initiative is to the credit of Health Minister Simon Harris.
The law will only apply in three cases:
- nausea or vomiting associated with chemotherapy treatment
- individuals with multiple sclerosis
- severe epilepsy.
These restrictions have a specific purpose: to make these measures exceptional in order to test their necessity and impact. Prescriptions, according to Simon Harris, will be a "last resort."
The legalization of medical cannabis was announced two years ago, before accelerating and becoming official in the last weeks of June. These delays are due to the difficulty in appointing suppliers of quality products. Indeed, the United Kingdom does not currently have a medically approved market.
Danish and Canadian cannabis expertise sought.
Given the lack of experience and references in this field, the Ministry of Health has sought assistance from Denmark, a true European pioneer in the export of medical cannabis. Ireland has also approached Canada, now a world leader. Discussions have been initiated with the German and Dutch markets, but Ireland does not rule out growing its own cannabis in the near future.
Despite these advances, the minister affirmed that the legalization of medical cannabis would not open the door to the decriminalization of recreational cannabis, a subject that has stirred debate since its introduction. A doctors' association has come forward in this regard by publishing an open letter warning of the risks involved in any drug consumption. Risks that should not be neglected, particularly among adolescents.
