Irish Lawmaker Files Bill To Legalize Marijuana Possession For Adults, Draws Early Criticism From Top Government Official
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An Irish lawmaker has filed a bill to legalize marijuana possession nationwide for adults 18 and older—but a top government official has already raised concerns about the reform proposal. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny introduced the long-anticipated legislation on Thursday. It would legalize possession of up to seven grams of cannabis and 2.5 grams of marijuana resin for personal adult use. The bill is currently before the Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of Ireland's legislature. It's not clear if lawmakers from competing parties will work to advance it, but the the sponsor said that he expects the body to have a "wider debate" on cannabis reform "next year." This bill is a moderate first step. It does not legalise cannabis but removes the criminal penalties for those using the drug. I believe that if passed, this bill will provide a stepping stone to a more progressive drug policy in Ireland. 2/4 — Gino Kenny TD (@Ginosocialist) November 24, 2022 "The bill itself is quite moderate. It's amending existing legislation that dates back 42 years ago—and 42 years ago was a very, very long time," Kenny said on the floor. "We need a different narrative in relation to drug reform, because criminalizing people for small possessions of any drug, particularly cannabis, is a complete waste of time and it's a waste of resources." Watch Kenny discuss the marijuana legalization bill, starting around 4:15:00 into the video below: While the sponsor has sought to distinguish the bill as decriminalization, rather than legalization, the bill itself says that possession of up to seven grams of marijuana by adults "shall be lawful," even if there wouldn't be a commercial market. "I think there's a groundswell of opinion, not only in Ireland, but across the world, for something very different—a different narrative and a…
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Source : Irish Lawmaker Files Bill To Legalize Marijuana Possession For Adults, Draws Early Criticism From Top Government Official
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