Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The proposed Bill seeks to modify the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, allowing adults legally to possess a specified amount of cannabis or cannabis resin for personal use. This initiative to amend the law commenced over a year ago and there are no legal obstacles to the amendment. In Ireland, drug use has been on the rise since data collection began nearly two decades ago. Cannabis use contributes to a variety of health issues, including drug-related health problems. The social problems arising from the operation of the illicit drug market have also been recognised in Ireland since the 1990s. The proposed Bill, while aiming to reduce criminal charges and potentially bring economic benefits, could inadvertently contribute to these ongoing issues. It should worry us all, for instance, that cocaine use in Ireland has been on the rise, with the country having the highest usage of cocaine in the European Union in 2022. There was a 4.8% prevalence of cocaine use in Ireland in people aged 15 to 34. The Health Research Board study found that cocaine use among males has risen to nearly one in ten in the 25 to 35 year old age group.

There is an area about which we should be talking and that is the medicinal use of drugs where they can benefit people. We have seen that over the past few years. We had the medicinal cannabis campaign, in the name of Vera Twomey who soldiered and fought a huge battle to get medicinal cannabis for her daughter Ava, a beautiful child who has since passed away, may God rest her soul. That woman's astounding battle opened up the mindsets of many people in this country, including myself, to the benefits of a medicinal use drug; nothing else. If all the people like Vera Twomey can continue this fight, I certainly think we can open many eyes going forward.

See this speech in context