Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to grit weed (details supplied) and the health epidemic that this will cause, including cancer and other fatal illnesses; if he will investigate and analysis the various substances found in grit weed, which include industrial etchant sprays, glass particles, sugars, sands and other micro contaminants, and if he will publish the results of such an investigation; if he will, in liaison with the Department of Justice, arrange for An Garda Síochána to provide confiscated cannabis to his Department to sample; if he will consider, again in coordination with the Department of Justice and in view of the on-going prohibition of cannabis, introducing sentencing to reward the evil nature of those who impregnate cannabis with various grits, some of which are carcinogenic; his views on the health aspects of the prohibition of canabis, and in particular the potential impact that grit weed will have for a future generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33262/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Cannabis is a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Its cultivation, supply and possession is prohibited and unlawful in Ireland, except for the purposes of research.

Cannabis continues to be the most widely abused drug in Ireland and it is not the intention of Government to legalise its use. The Government has strong concerns that legalisation of cannabis use would be likely to lead to increased levels of experimentation with drugs, particularly by young people. Cannabis is also known to be a gateway drug, which facilitates individuals moving on to other dangerous drugs.

Cannabis misuse is detrimental to health, and significant physical and mental health risks are particularly associated with long-term use. In addition, as Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has noted, cannabis users are also exposed to health risks associated with contaminants in cannabis products, such as chemicals, pesticides, bacteria and grit weed. Grit weed contamination occurs where microscopic glass beads are sprayed onto cannabis plant to give the impression that the cannabis is of good quality. The Forensic Science Laboratory has not found grit weed contamination in samples of cannabis seized on the streets in recent times.

It is a criminal offence for a person to import, export, produce, supply or possess cannabis. Possession and supply are subject to serious criminal sanctions of: up to seven years imprisonment and-or a fine for unlawful possession, and up to a maximum period on indictment of life imprisonment for unlawful supply.

Cannabis is illegal in this State as its use is harmful to human health. Contamination of cannabis with adulterants such as grit weed only increases the health risks associated with cannabis use.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State said that the legalisation of cannabis would lead to increased use. They have not legalised it in Holland, but they have found, now that they have regularised it in a certain sense or adopted a policy of tolerance, that its usage has not increased. In fact, in comparison with Ireland, especially among young people, there is far less usage of it.

On the gateway effect, the Institute of Medicine in Washington DC has done a study on this and it would disagree with the Minister of State. When it comes to the gateway effect, I suppose one of the best examples at which one can look to show that it is not the case is, yet again, Holland. According to a study conducted by the Trimbos Institute in Holland, where one can openly but not legally purchase cannabis, fewer than one in 1,000 teenagers experiment with heroin. Depending on which organisation one listens to, the figure for Ireland is as much as one in 80. If the gateway effect is caused by the legalisation of cannabis-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

May we have a supplementary question, please?

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----why is the figure in Holland 90% lower?

Have tests of the samples of cannabis held by the Garda Síochána provided accurate results to show what is contained in the cannabis being sold? It is not ideal that people use cannabis, but its illegality makes it infinitely more dangerous. In particular, street dealers do not ask for identification. Were it legal, they could do so. Is there information on what is contained in contaminated weed? Would it be possible to consider imposing stronger criminal sanctions on those dealing in this substance, given that it is infinitely more dangerous than cannabis?

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The contamination or adulteration found involved the use of crushed grass particles or grass micro-beads. Some evidence of this was found in 2007 and 2008 but recent testing has revealed no evidence of these materials. The Government's main concern relates to the physical and mental health effects of the long-term use of cannabis which have been associated with lung and throat cancer but clear links have also been established between cannabis use and the development of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression.

International literature shows that the increasing number of persons presenting for drug treatment owing to cannabis-related problems is linked with increasing cannabis potency and contamination. It is claimed that more potent forms of cannabis are associated with higher risks of adverse health consequences. It is interesting to note that the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are moving to reclassify the stronger form of cannabis as a class A drug. In the case of the latter, evidence indicates that the liberalisation of the law has resulted in a significant increase in drug tourism. The Dutch authorities are moving to close this off.

Our principal concern which it is legitimate to have relates to the physical and mental health implications of the long-term use of cannabis. For this reason, there is no intention of decriminalising the use of cannabis.