Indopedia All Things Marijuana
Next week, the Irish Dáil (lower house of Parliament) will vote on the legalization of medical cannabis for its nation.
The issue has been hotly debated in the European country for over a year, with a continuous ebb and flow toward approval of the medicine.
The bill was authored by TD Gino Kenny in late 2016 and allows medical marijuana to be prescribed for conditions including chronic pain, epilepsy, MS, and cancer.
Critics of the legislation claim that if the bill is successful, the move would unintentionally legalize all cannabis use in Ireland over a period of time. As well, there is concern among members of the government that allowing cannabis for medical purposes will somehow make the substance available in the illicit market.
Despite a long list of countries that have adopted cannabis into their health care sectors, some lawmakers in Ireland believe there is not enough evidence regarding the efficacy of medical marijuana.
“Bypassing the approach to regulation exposes the public to incomplete and unpredictable medical treatments,” said politician Kate O’Connell.
TD Kenny strongly disagrees with O’Connell and other critics, stating “the evidence is…
