By Brian Houlihan

Michael Healy-Rae TD

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It’s rare I find myself in agreement with Michael Healy-Rae, an independent TD for Kerry. However, during the week one of those rare moments occurred while reading his comments regarding hemp.

Healy-Rae, speaking to The Star, stated that “There needs to be a reasoned and sensible debate around the benefits of growing hemp, and the financial benefits for any growers.”

This is something many activists have argued for years. In fact last year I tried to use the oireachtas petitions committee in order to establish a public consultation process.

The petitions committee was created by the previous government in 2011 and was a means of the public petitioning government directly. The petition calling for Conor McGregor to be put on €1 coins was perhaps the most notorious use of the petition system.

Unfortunately my petition, along with others, while acknowledged and put in the queue, were ultimately not processed in time. As of yet no petitions committee has been established by the new government. I intend on submitting a similar petition if such a committee is established again.

Petition sent regarding public consultation

Back to Michael Healy-Rae’s comments. I also agree with his sentiment that “There’s a lack of joined-up thinking and understanding when it comes to the growing and cultivation of hemp.”

Many people believe that a vibrant hemp industry would emerge in Ireland with the correct investments, and the revision of regulations which would see the removal of bureaucratic red tape.

Micheal Healy-Rae also suggested that “Hemp regulations should fall under the Department of Agriculture and not the Department of Health. People think it’s just a drug but it has a host of genuine uses and has done for centuries.”

Again Healy-Rae is correct here, or at least partially. It is questionable that hemp currently falls under the remit of the Department Of Health and the Health Products Regulatory Authority. Arguably the Department of Agriculture should have the central role here. It could work alongside other agencies and government departments if required.

However, Healy-Rae is misguided in his assertion, or at least downplaying the facts, that hemp has only been in use for centuries. Hemp has been in use for millenniums based on the archaeological and literary evidence worldwide.

While he is often maligned for his views by sections of the media Haely-Rae is an astute politician. Earlier this year he was elected with over half a quota to spare. A quota refers to the number of votes needed to be elected. His surplus votes also helped elect his brother Danny.

Kerry farmers have regularly grown hemp, including nowadays, but generally in low numbers. The potential of another cash crop being more accessible may appeal to Haely-Rae’s agrarian voters and farmers elsewhere. Perhaps the Department of Agriculture will also pay heed to his comments.

Michael Haely-Rae’s input on hemp is to be welcomed and hopefully it will help create a wider debate among farmers, politicians and hemp enthusiasts.

Hemp growing in Kerry. July 2016

Brian Houlihan is the curator of the Dublin Hemp Museum and regularly writes about hemp. Follow him on Twitter at @dubhempmuseum and @houlihanbrian. You can also find us on Facebook.

You can find an archive of my blog posts here