Outright ban on cannabis a ‘mistake’

A local Sinn Féin councillor has highlighted the need to enact urgent legalisation to regulate the sale of ‘cannabinoid’ products.

Cllr Stiofan Conaty made the call at Monday's (May 12) meeting of Cavan County Council, telling those gathered that the reason that HHC is “so prevalent” is because demand for “actual, natural cannabis is huge”.

“I think that outright criminalisation of cannabis was a mistake,” he told those in attendance. “It has left hard-working, harmless and decent people with criminal records. It has forced the cultivation of the plant into the attics and garages of dodgy characters who care little for the integrity of the product or the health of those who consume it,” he fumed.

Cllr Conaty explained that HHC is a synthetic compound version of the active chemical THC, which occurs naturally in the cannabis plant.

“There has been little to no research done on its long or short-term effects,” he said. “Anecdotal evidence tells us, in some people prone to mental health difficulties, [HHC] can induce psychosis. It is being sold in every vape shop in Ireland and it is available to anyone over the age of 18.”

Safe use

The Sinn Féin representative asked Cavan County Council to write to the relevant Minister to “explore” the regulation of HHC with the aim of “evaluating” if “some version of it” can be made “safe”.

However he stated that ultimately there should be “no sale” of HHC, reasoning that there is “no need” for a “synthetic version” of cannabis at all.

Cllr Conaty outlined how cannabis “in its original form” can give relief to those with “chronic pain or illness” and “relax” people who have anxiety; while he also said it can “harness creativity” within artists and provide a “gateway out” of addiction to serious drugs.

“The benefits are many and Ireland is missing out,” he stated. “HHC is dangerous and it exists only to fill a niche in the market brought about by the criminalisation of the far safer, natural form of the plant,” continued Cllr Conaty, who said while the “prohibition” continues there will be a market for HHC. The aim now would be to try to make “some version of it” safe.

While Cllr Patricia Walsh said she didn't “agree with some parts of the motion”, outlining how she has “a problem with the vape shops”.

“I think they should be banned,” she argued, adding that children “as young as 13” are able to buy vapes.

“They're not supposed to be sold... but they are being sold,” she told those gathered.

Cllr Shane P O'Reilly added to the debate giving his “wholehearted support” to the motion.

Support

He outlined how those with “chronic” illnesses often have to go to get an “illegal drug” just to allow them to “use a knife and fork” or to “let them sleep at night”.

He asked if the legalisation of cannabis would lead to the “proliferation” of drug use among young people.

“I don't know,” he answered.

On the topic of vapes, Cthe Independent Ireland cllr said he recently checked the ingredient list on the packaging of a vape pen, needing a “magnifying glass” to read the label and its contents. Upon further research he told the chamber that “there's actually rat poison” in vapes, and called for a “national conversation” on the issue.

Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) also gave his support to the motion, asking for a “full and total ban on vapes.”

“Anything that is synthetic is bad,” he outlined, adding that it is “about time we get rid of these disposable vapes.”

The father of two raised concern that in the future, his children will ask him: “Daddy why didn't you stop this twenty years ago?”

The Cathaoirleach of the council, Cllr T.P. O'Reilly (FG) supported the call for an “outright ban” on vapes.