The recently finished Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs has shown “we can’t just stick to the status quo” on laws surrounding drug use. 

That’s according to Assembly Chair Paul Reid, who said the group went through “various options” on changing drug use policies. 

“There was an overwhelming majority to say ‘We can't just stick with the status quo’,” he told The Hard Shoulder. 

“The other options that were on the table is, for example, would be just going with legislation on the shelf from the Department of Justice, which would have facilitated a stronger health led approach. 

“The Citizens’ Assembly went a step further than that to decriminalise it.” 

Mr Reid explains this would remove the risk of criminal conviction for possessing drugs, which is currently illegal under section three of the 1977 Misuse of Drugs Act. 

“So if you have possession of drugs on you, for your own use, with the quantity to be determined by Government ultimately, you will not be sent forward for criminal conviction,” he said. 

“You would be referred from An Gardaí to a programme to give you supports – qualified people would assess do you have an addiction problem or just somebody that’s used it.” 

Legalisation

Another option was to legalise some or all drugs, which would regulate the sale and use of drugs similar to alcohol. 

Some 39 people voted to decriminalise cannabis, while 38 voted to legalise and regulate it. 

Mr Reid acknowledged this vote was “extremely tight”. 

“We will reflect in our report that in relation to cannabis, there was an extremely tight vote,” he said. 

One texter said decriminalising would just lead to more access and use of drugs, particularly among young people. 

Mr Reid said this fear was considered “quite carefully” by the Assembly before members voted. 

“One of the key mandates we have is how do we reduce the harm caused by drugs,” he said. 

“People can get into a criminal system and criminal conviction too early, and then they end up in a vicious spiral. 

“The impact of drugs happens much more strongly in marginalised communities, and it's generally communities who suffer sight high social deprivation.” 

Marijuana trees at the Medicinal Cannabis Research Institute in Thailand. Image: Chaiwat Subprasom / SOPA Images/Sipa USA

The Citizens’ Assembly will complete a final report on its recommendations which will be submitted to the Government for consideration. 

Mr Reid explained one committee will review the recommendations while the Government create their own response. 

“This needs urgent attention,” Mr Reid said. 

“Every day people are losing their lives through drug-induced deaths – it needs to be acted on.” 

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