Calls for reform to Ireland’s cannabis laws as hundreds prepare to protest

Hundreds of supporters are expected to attend a protest in Dublin later this week, calling for reform to current cannabis laws.

The major event is to take place on Saturday 10 July, in Phoenix Park in Dublin, urging the Irish Government to scrap current cannabis laws.

This is the second event organised by the Major Group for Cannabis Reform (MGCR), following the success of the previous ‘Major Smoke Up’ held on the same date last year, which saw around 400 people turn out. 

The MGCR is a collective of cannabis activists who have joined forces to advance the conversation regarding cannabis in Ireland for both medical and adult-use.

The protest will take place from 2pm- 8pm and organisers are expecting a “huge response”.

David Smullen, a spokesperson from MGCR, said laws around cannabis use in Ireland need to be “loosened”.

“Laws around the use of cannabis needs to change because [currently] it makes no sense,” he commented.

“As a whole we want to raise awareness around cannabis and we want a reduction to the societal stigma around it.

“We want to break those barriers where people are looked down on, with the hope that cannabis can be legalised and available on prescription.

“Our main goal is for people to have better access to cannabis, our laws need to be loosened.”

Protestors at last year’s event

Ireland’s Medical Cannabis Access Programme was introduced in June 2019, but no funding provisions were in place until earlier this year.

In January, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced plans for the delivery of the programme, but only those with certain conditions, such as intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, severe treatment-resistant epilepsy and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) will be able to access treatment via the scheme.

It doesn’t include chronic pain, which affects up to a quarter of the population, or Bedrocan oils from the Netherlands which are prescribed for the majority patients with severe epilepsy in the country.

“Cannabis is legal for medicinal use and two people are receiving it on the NHS in the UK,” said David.

“We want easier access for patients without them being judged.”

He continued: “Patients suffering from serious diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and severe epilepsy know the benefits of medicinal cannabis and how effective they are, we just don’t understand why the laws don’t allow for wider access.

“We hear stories from patients and parents who have had to travel to Spain and the Netherlands if they want to access to cannabis medicinally.

“Not only so people have to pay for the prescriptions which are so expensive, but there is travel and accommodation of top of this.”

David explains that the organisation has had an overwhelming response from people all sectors, who are keen to tackle the stereotypical imagery around the use of cannabis. 

Activists and supporters will gather at the Wellington Memorial site collectively to support the movement and express their views and thoughts in a peaceful way.

“From the response we have had on our social media pages, where we already have a following of 4,000 people, we are anticipating a successful outcome,” he added.

“I would like to see people come together to share their love for their common interest and lay their support for cannabis reform.”