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Updated: 22:00

INDEPENDENT POLITICIAN LUKE ‘Ming’ Flanagan is currently dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a bill that will propose the legalisation of cannabis in Irelandbedroom furniture.

Flanagan’s bill, which is due to be launched in the coming days, is expected to include provisions for people to both purchase the drug and grow cannabis plants themselvesmobile phone accessories.

Opponents to the legalisation have warned that it could result in more people using the drug, saying it can also be a gateway substance and may increase the use of other more harmful drugs.

However others in favour of it have said that regulating could lower the risks of people using contaminated drugs, reduce crime and yield a high tax revenue.

So where do the various political parties, technical groups  and independent TDs stand on the issue? We decided to ask them.

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(Image: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)

As Fine Gael health spokesperson, Minister for Health James Reilly was nominated by his party to answer for them. His department pointed out that, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research. Cannabis is also controlled internationally under United Nations Conventions.

It is not the intention of Government to legalise the use of cannabis either for medical or recreational reasons, owing to a number of concerns, including its potential for abuse and concern for public health. Cannabis misuse is detrimental to health and significant physical and mental health risks are particularly associated with long-term use. Legalising cannabis may lead to increased levels of experimentation with drugs by young people.

The legalisation of cannabis in Ireland cannot be considered in isolation of the other EU Member States as this could result in Ireland becoming a destination for “drug tourism” with consequential social problems.

It is internationally recognised that leniency in cannabis control can endanger the overall international effort against drugs. The Government’s position regarding controls on cannabis is in line with United Nations Conventions and international law on the control of cannabis.

A cannabis-based drug called Sativex has recently been identified as being suitable for the relief of symptoms of spasticity for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Sativex is currently aurhorised in the UK for MS patients and the Irish Medicines Board has recommended the approval of the product for the Irish market.

However the department said that the granting of market authorisation in Ireland is dependent on changes to legislation.

Department officials have been engaging with experts on how best to legally describe authorised cannabis-based medicinal products while maintaining existing controls on cannabis and cannabis substances.

Draft Regulations amending the Misuse of Drugs Regulations have been prepared, including amendments necessary to enable cannabis-based medicinal product Sativex to be prescribed in Ireland. Arising from the consultation process, the draft orders and Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations will be submitted to government seeking the government’s approval to notify them to the EU Commission and Member States under the Technical Standards Directive.

At the end of the three month EU notification period, government’s approval will be sought to make the relevant order. The department said it is anticipated that the new regulations will be introduced early next year.

LABOUR