In Ireland, access to hemp and CBD mirrors many American states. While legal, the use of high-THC cannabis remains regulated, with only a few exceptions akin to the United States.

Legal landscape and recent changes

In June 2019, Health Minister Simon Harris enacted legislation permitting limited medical weed use in Ireland for a five-year trial period.

Additionally, a peculiar loophole allows for the sale, purchase, and possession of cannabis seeds for “collection” purposes, provided they remain ungerminated.

Development and challenges

Medical weed in Ireland is still in its early stages, poised for growth as accessibility increases and legal restrictions ease.

A brief history of cannabis in Ireland

Ireland’s prohibition of cannabis predates the United States, dating back to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1934.

Despite historical skepticism, an Irishman, Dr. William O’Shaughnessy, introduced cannabis to the Western world in 1839, extolling its medicinal benefits for pain relief.

Cannabis use in Ireland peaked in the 1960s, prompting the establishment of the Working Party on Drug Abuse in 1968. This led to stringent penalties for possession, aiming to curb widespread use.

Crime & punishment: Possession laws

Possession of cannabis for personal use incurs a Class D fine of €1,000, with first-time offenders receiving cautions instead of criminal records.

Repeat offenses escalate fines, with third convictions potentially resulting in €3,000+ fines and imprisonment for up to one year.

Selling weed can lead to a year in jail, with sentences extending to 10 years for transactions exceeding €13,000 in value.

Is the tide slowly beginning to turn?

In recent years, the approach to weed-related offenses in Ireland has shown signs of leniency compared to penalties for other illicit substances.

A gradual acceptance of cannabis use and possession has emerged over the past two decades, indicating a shift in attitudes.

Legislative landscape and reform attempts

Despite growing tolerance, nationwide legalization remains a distant prospect in Ireland. Various efforts for legislative reform have faltered due to limited support within the Irish government.

For instance, a motion in 2013 proposed legalizing the cultivation, sale, and possession of cannabis products but failed with only 8 votes in favor out of 111.

Similarly, in 2015, Aodhan O’Riordain, the Minister of State overseeing the National Drugs Strategy, publicly endorsed decriminalizing cannabis for personal use, alongside heroin and cocaine.

However, this stance cost him his seat in the subsequent year’s election.

Milestones in medical cannabis approval

December 2016 marked a significant milestone for medical weed advocates in Ireland. Gino Kelly of People Before Profit introduced a bill to legalize medicinal weed, prompting the government to consider allowing cannabis for patients with serious conditions such as fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis.

Kelly highlighted patient preferences for weed over prescription drugs and criticized the War on Drugs as a failure.

Despite initial progress, the government’s approval of the first MMJ license for a two-year-old with Dravet syndrome initiated a slow uptake of medical cannabis applications. Over the next two years, fewer than two dozen MMJ patients were approved in Ireland.

A landmark decision?

In June 2019, Ireland took a significant stride towards medical cannabis legalization with Health Minister Simon Harris signing legislation for the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.

This initiative, set to operate as a five-year pilot, was anticipated to take several months to establish, marking a pivotal moment in Ireland’s healthcare landscape.

Harris’s announcement of the MMJ plan came two years prior, with the subsequent delay sparking tensions within the government.

Challenges in sourcing a quality-assured supplier capable of meeting Ireland’s needs contributed to the hold-up.

Under the new scheme, medical consultants have the authority to prescribe cannabis-based treatments to patients with specific qualifying conditions:

Severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy
Intractable nausea and vomiting linked to chemotherapy
Spasticity associated with MS

Eligibility is limited to individuals who have exhausted conventional treatment options. The legislation also permits pharmacists to dispense medical cannabis at standard prescription costs.

Patients under the drug payment scheme receive coverage, while medical card holders benefit from usual prescription charge exemptions.

Harris emphasized medical cannabis as a ‘last resort’ treatment, acknowledging the prior necessity for patients to travel to the Netherlands for legal access to their medication.

Mmj is finally legal in Ireland

After significant delays, the Irish Department of Health announced the direct distribution of cannabis to Irish MMJ patients in December 2020, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s medical cannabis landscape. This measure, an expansion of the 2019 rule, addresses the challenges posed by the global pandemic, which restricted patient travel.

In April 2020, recognizing the limitations on travel, the Irish Government permitted the delivery of cannabis from the Netherlands to Ireland. This delivery system, established during the pandemic, has since become a permanent fixture.

Patients seeking access to medical cannabis must apply for licenses through the Department of Health. However, the failure to integrate the licensing system with the Medical Cannabis Access Programme has led to confusion.

Critics argue that a two-tier system exists, comprising individual licensing and the Access Programme.

Consultants often encounter patients expecting to apply through the Access Programme, only to discover they cannot prescribe anything and must turn them away.

Many MMJ patients are unaware of their eligibility for an individual license. Despite the Access Programme’s inclusion in the HSE Service Plan, there are no current plans for full MMJ legalization.

Notably, pharmacists remain unable to dispense cannabis to licensed patients, necessitating reliance on the existing delivery system.

Presently, the Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved only a select few cannabis products, including Aurora High CBD Drops, CannEpil, and Tilray Oral Solution.

Could Ireland grow its own?

Addressing one of the key hurdles, Health Minister Harris acknowledged the possibility of Ireland cultivating its own cannabis if the current scheme proves successful.

Dr. James Linden from GreenLight Pharmaceuticals expressed confidence in Ireland’s potential as a prime location for cannabis cultivation, citing the country’s favorable climate compared to the Netherlands.

Linden highlighted Ireland’s temperate climate, which alleviates concerns about excessive summer heat, unlike in the Netherlands where cannabis is primarily grown indoors under artificial lights.

He identified regions such as Donegal, Derry, Carlow, and Longford as suitable locations for cannabis farms.

However, he emphasized the need for expansive growth areas to meet future demand, estimating the setup cost of a facility at around €15 million.

Significant opposition persists

While recent legislative developments are promising, full medical cannabis legalization in Ireland remains distant. A study by Smyth et al., published in the Irish Medical Journal in October 2019, identified concerns, particularly regarding adolescent cannabis use.

The study highlighted cannabis as the leading cause of ‘disability’ among older teenagers among illicit drugs. It also emphasized the elevated risk of dependence among those initiating cannabis use at a young age.

Analyzing data from national treatment databases and population surveys focusing on individuals aged 33 and under, the research noted a 200% increase in weed-related hospital admissions from 2005 to 2017.

These findings underscore the complexities surrounding medical weed legalization in Ireland.

Final thoughts on medical cannabis in Ireland

The journey towards medical weed legalization in Ireland has been arduous and lengthy. Despite years of advocacy, a glimmer of hope now emerges on the horizon.

While a medical cannabis program exists, it caters to only a fraction of the population, yet it is poised to draw considerable interest. Its success could herald unforeseen possibilities for the future.

However, the program remains a five-year trial, casting doubt on significant legislative advancements within that timeframe. Nevertheless, the prospect of Ireland cultivating its weed presents intriguing possibilities.

The allure of additional tax revenue and access to a global market may prove irresistible to the Irish government.

Yet, any further strides toward legalization will undoubtedly encounter staunch opposition, highlighting concerns over the impact on younger users.

As the debate continues, Ireland navigates a complex path towards embracing medical cannabis.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any THC product.

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