By Brian Houlihan

Dáil Eireann

In the last two months a number of politicians have asked about medical cannabis in the Dáil. Though quite similar, the number of questions asked shows how medical cannabis is a political issue. It’s worth noting the answers given were fairly similar too.

These questions came after Gino Kenny’s bill passed its second stage and Simon Harris ordered a review of medical cannabis policy. The recent health committee report, which recommended the state pays for medical cannabis, was one part of the review. The second part, a report from the HPRA, is due for release shortly.

January 17th

Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit

January 18th

Louise O’Reilly of Sinn Feinn

January 19th

Michael Martin of Fianna Fail

January 24th

Mick Barry of Anti-Austerity Alliance

Billy Kelleher of Fianna Fail

Jonathan O’Brien of Sinn Fein

Following the delay in releasing the HPRA report a number of politicans asked about the matter

January 31st

Gino Kenny of People Before Profit

February 1st

Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit

Jonathan O’Brien of Sinn Fein

February 2nd

Labour Senator Denis Landy asked the Seanad about Gino Kenny’s medical cannabis bill.

Denis Landy of Labour

James Reilly of Fine Gael (former Health Minister)

Jerry Buttimer of Fine Gael

(Please note I removed some irrelevant text/speech from Jerry Buttimer’s contribution to keep the graphic smaller)

All these questions show medical cannabis is a hot topic in Ireland at the moment. With the release of the HPRA report imminent we may see significant changes in Ireland.

Help Not Harm are delighted to have played a role in all of this. We did so by assisting on Gino Kenny’s bill, the health committee report and the upcoming HPRA report.

Brian Houlihan is a Director of Help Not Harm which seeks to shift the emphasis of Irish drug policy from criminal justice to public health.