People in Ireland are celebrating after the Irish Government passed a Bill to legalise medicinal cannabis without a vote.
The Dail said it wouldn’t oppose the legislation, which would see people with diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia able to use cannabis products for pain relief – and so it now passes on to the Committee Stage.
Medicinal Cannabis debate: @Ginosocialist & @SimonHarrisTD speaking during tonight's landmark debate @rtenews pic.twitter.com/xKoodyJe9l
— Conor McMorrow (@ConorMcMorrow) December 1, 2016
The Bill is expected to be supported by a majority of TDs, which means the drug could be legal in Ireland as soon as Easter next year.
And people took to Twitter to show their support for the Government’s decision, with many using the hashtag #MakeItMedicine.
Ready for tomorrow night 7pm at the Dail. #makeitmedicine #makeithappen pic.twitter.com/kma8hD0qr9
— June Tobin Maher (@JuneTobinMaher) November 30, 2016
Happy faces at the Irish Parliament for a very positive debate on medical cannabis. The law will change! #medcanireland #makeitmedicine pic.twitter.com/hNICOQYfFI
— Help Not Harm (@HelpNotHarmIE) December 1, 2016
Very proud of @Ginosocialist tonight for progressing his bill to legalise medicinal cannabis. #MakeItMedicine #PBP
— Fiona Ferguson (@fiona_ferg) December 1, 2016
Lovely moments in #Dáil tonight as TDs came together to #makeitmedicine & support @Ginosocialist bill. Inspired by a very brave mum's story. https://t.co/aP1EYACFd1
— Cllr Karen Furlong (@karenffurlong) December 1, 2016
as someone in chronic pain 24/7 I would welcome the opportunity to try medicinal cannabis because I am weary dealing with pain. #PKTonight
— Disildoforus (@BarbaraMSmyth) November 30, 2016
Sitting here in the Dáil listening to Gino Kenny make the closing speech on his
— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) December 1, 2016
Medicinal Cannabis Bill. Great work. Gone to committee.
People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, who put the Bill forward, said it will be up to doctors to decide if their patients would benefit from the drug, according to RTE.
But while Irish Health Minister Simon Harris said he wouldn’t oppose the Bill passing on to the Dail’s Committee Stage, he has suggested that amendments would have to be made to ensure making cannabis legal for recreational use is avoided.
.@SimonHarrisTD reiterates commitment to reviewing policy on medicinal cannabis following an examination by the HPRA https://t.co/XXpCaqVOH4
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) November 30, 2016
