Ireland Gov. Coalition Partner Supports Drug Decriminalization, Excluding Cocaine And Heroin

Ireland's Fianna Fáil Party confirmed that it supports decriminalization of drug possession for personal use as part of a health-led response to addiction, reported Irish Examiner.

During the launch of the party's manifesto, party leader Micheál Martin shared that he thinks "another three-party government" will be formed after the November election and also discussed Fianna Fáil's policy on drugs.

"Decriminalization is an important step," Martin said, adding that it offers understanding as the most effective way to deal with the issue, as opposed to a criminal justice-based model. He did not outline a timeline for implementation, writes The Journal.

A Fianna Fáil spokesperson said the party does not support decriminalization of cocaine or heroin but rather seeks to implement the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use's recommendation of a health-led response to possession of drugs for personal use.

"We will look at decriminalizing drugs such as cannabis, as is done in other countries such as Malta, Spain and Portugal, and not drugs such as cocaine and heroin," they said.

The spokesperson said those caught in possession of drugs for personal use will be directed to addiction programs, based on models used in Austria or Portugal.

"In introducing these measures we will engage with other countries that have introduced similar measures and health professionals that have expertise in this area. We will look at the amount of drugs that should be decriminalized for personal use and the number of times that a person can be diverted to health interventions, among other issues," they said.

Read Also: ‘A Moral Duty To Disobey Unjust Laws’: Irish Activist Convicted For Planting Weed In Public Spots —Including City Hall

Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter here. If you're serious about the business, you can't afford to miss out.

Previous Developments

The news comes up on the heels of The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use's interim report responding to 36 recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, among which is the decriminalization of personal use and possession of illegal drugs.

"The Committee has given a reasoned response to each Citizens’ Assembly recommendation and agrees with all of the substantive recommendations,” stated Committee cathaoirleach Deputy Gino Kenny. “This includes recommendation 17 which calls for the decriminalization of all substances. The aim is not to criminalize possession but to move towards a health-led approach where options around treatment, if needed, can be explored."

The report came about nine months after the Irish Citizens’ Assembly of Drug Use issued a report recommending drug decriminalization.

The Committee also proposed legalization of cannabis, more specifically it suggests that a regulation model similar to Spain, Malta and Germany – a not for profit regulated marijuana market. It further supports the recommendation from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice for the expansion of the Medical Cannabis Access Program (MCAP), to ensure that more people affected by chronic illness can access cannabis in circumstances where other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms.

"Fianna Fáil believes that it is time for a change in how drug use is treated in Ireland," the spokesperson concluded.

Read Next:

• Irish Doctors Against Cannabis Decriminalization, Say ‘It’s Anti-Health’: Government Proposes Nine-Month Vote Delay On Decrim Bill

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Alejandro Luengo and Jose Luis Sanchez Pereyra via Unsplash