There is a global movement toward the decriminalisation of cannabis, supported by extensive research and real world trials. Evidence demonstrates that legalisation can be accomplished in a manner that improves overall societal health and wellbeing, while generating substantial tax revenue for schools, hospitals, and other social services.

Furthermore, legalisation has been demonstrated to reduce cannabis use among teenagers [1], opioid abuse [2], and excess alcohol consumption [3].

Furthermore, legal cannabis is a large and growing industry that creates many jobs and also generates immense tax revenue. In the United States, states like California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington are benefitting from between $25 million and $60 million per year in taxes. The legal cannabis market, as a whole, in the United States generates approximately $10 billion per year in sales [4].

Therefore, in light of these findings, we are calling on Leo Varadkar to lead Ireland towards immediately prioritising the legalisation and effective regulation of cannabis in order to improve our societal wellbeing.

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[1] https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/marijuana-among-teens-drops424/

[2] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/legalised-cannabis-latest-solved-opioid-crisis-medical-marijuana-studies-scientific-jama-internal-a8293831.html

[3] http://blog.norml.org/2017/12/01/study-alcohol-sales-fall-following-cannabis-legalization/

[4] http://www.westword.com/marijuana/legal-pot-sales-to-reach-10-billion-in-2017-report-estimates-9768851