Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin welcomes this debate on the question of cannabis legalisation on the basis that such a debate is needed and should prove informative. We commend Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan for bringing forward this motion. While we will not be voting in favour of it, we believe there is merit in a thorough and critical examination of all aspects of how problem drug use is addressed in our society.

The question of cannabis legalisation is one which divides opinion sharply but one which definitely needs to be teased out and debated in a calm, considered fashion. We must move beyond a facile, adversarial approach. Hysteria is not what we need. We must approach the issue in an evidence-based way and draw our conclusions from the evidence. We must look at problem drug use, including cannabis and alcohol, in a holistic manner, taking into account the implications for individual health, the effects on wider society and the role of the justice system.

One of two main arguments made in favour of cannabis legalisation is that the drug is less harmful than others. That may be so, but that is only in relative terms and we do not believe this is a valid argument for legalisation. The drug can have serious detrimental effects on people's health. There is considerable concern in the medical community about the effect of cannabis on the levels of schizophrenia and psychosis. It is widely believed cannabis use can increase the likelihood of the onset of psychosis. From a health point of view, there is a legitimate concern that legalisation would lead to even wider problem use of the drug. There is surely validity in the argument that legalisation would run contrary to the efforts we are making to combat tobacco smoking and the problem use of other drugs, including alcohol. It is important that we note the enormous damage alcohol abuse causes in Ireland in terms of health and public safety, as well as its implications for the health care system. We must work very hard to ensure we tackle the misuse of alcohol, as well illegal substances.

The second main argument used in favour of cannabis legalisation is that it would take what is admittedly a very widely used drug out of the hands of organised criminals and free up resources for combating the trade in more damaging drugs. In 2009 Sinn Féin published its proposed priorities for a national drugs strategy for the period 2009 to 2016. In that document we state the spectrum of drug-related crime must be understood if justice and public policy is to be effective in reducing such crime. The drug policy action group categorised drug crime as systemic, economic-compulsive and psycho-pharmacological. System crimes include drug trafficking, dealing, possession and associated gangland crime, including murder, intimidation and money laundering. Economic-compulsive crime describes robbery to feed a drug habit, while psycho-pharmacological crime includes violence against people or property caused by the mental or behavioural effects of drug taking. We argue in our submission that law enforcement efforts and resources must be matched with the priorities arising from an objective understanding of the three main types of drug-related crime. The rates of prosecution relating to heroin and cocaine compared to those for cannabis do not match the far greater relative harm caused by the former drugs. The focus of policing efforts should be systematically matched with the relative harm caused by the various drugs, with the understanding of harm to include that done to individuals, communities and wider society. This requires a critical examination of how the policing and justice system addresses problem drug use and we should not shy away from that examination.

Sinn Féin has never supported the legalisation of cannabis, though strong arguments have been made on both sides. This position has been reaffirmed at successive party ard fheiseanna. The health implications associated with cannabis, like tobacco, are very serious and have the potential to have a significant negative effect on public health. On the separate but related issue of the medicinal benefits of cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds, there is significant scientific evidence to support the case for the introduction of such products here. We would, of course, await the expert advice of the relevant Irish regulatory authorities, including the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics and the Irish Medicines Board. Again, we must allow expertise to be the basis for our decisions, but if there is evidence to support the introduction of such products, we should consider it.

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