Two hundred Irish TDs received a letter outlining the reasons for cannabis legalisation and a roll-up in the post sparking an investigation
The cannabis was sent by An Póst by leading cannabis activists to mark National Legalise Cannabis Day in Ireland. The cannabis was accompanied by a letter outlining ten reasons why cannabis should be legalised and made accessible. Cannabis activists including Cannabis Activist Alliance, ReLeaf CBD Café, and Martin Condon from the podcast Martin’s World shared images of the letters online before sending them to ministers.
Two hundred letters containing cannabis roll-ups and edibles were sent to ministers including the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins. A further forty were sent to members of the media and senators. Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Fein was even sent a tricolour roll-up.
In a statement online, those involved encouraged other cannabis consumers and activists to get involved in the action.
“To mark the 20th anniversary of this event the Martins World Podcast, The Cannabis Activist Alliance and the ReLeaf Cafe have teamed up to recreate this event. Cannabis containing joints will again be posted to every TD and Senator in Ireland. With the joint, we will include a letter about the campaign and 10 reasons why Cannabis prohibition should be ended (there are thousands to choose from). We encourage anyone who wants to get involved to do so. It will only cost you the price of a stamp and envelope.”
Getting word that the letters sent on National Legalise Cannabis Day are arriving at their destinations with a number of very happy recipients I really hope @MaryLouMcDonald likes the tricolour joint I made especially for the leader of @sinnfeinireland #CannabisReformIreland pic.twitter.com/cTjlMt97l9
— Martin’s World (@MartinsWorld420) November 9, 2021
Some of the benefits listed in the letters included the creation of jobs, open access for patients and researchers, the end to the discrimination faced by patients and also the protection of minors with the introduction of regulation.
Irish cannabis market
While the letter highlighted the reasons why cannabis should be legalised in Ireland, it also gave a stern warning about the dangers of buying cannabis from an unregulated market.
“As this product was sourced from an unregulated market, you as a consumer have very little protection. There is no guarantee that this joint contains any cannabis. If it does contain cannabis you as a consumer have no idea as to the potency of the cannabis. This makes dosing incredibly difficult and could put you at risk.”
The action has sparked an investigation by Irish authorities after scanners at the ministerial buildings failed to recognise the substance. It was reported that nearly all of the Green party received a letter along with members of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Irish ministers response
Most of the ministers have not confirmed if they have or have not received the letters. However, Cathal Crowe, a Fianna Fáil TD for Clare posted a photo of the letter on Twitter confirming he had received one.
This is definitely the most unexpected item my office received in the post.. pic.twitter.com/lvuXDbrGah
— Cathal Crowe T.D. (@CathalCroweTD) November 10, 2021
Irish Green party councillor, Oliver Moran also received a letter and tweeted his response. “Many thanks for including me in this action—and for the prudent warning that potency and content are unknown when drugs are purchased from an underground market.”
November 5 was declared National Legalise Cannabis Day by Independent TD, Luke Ming Flanagan back in 2001. The letters campaign was created to mark the 20th anniversary of this.
Ireland’s cannabis reform
The campaign comes amidst criticism that the Medical Cannabis Access Programme is still not functioning despite reassurances that Cannephil would be available from mid-October.
People before Profit TD for Dublin Mid-West, Gino Kenny raised the issue in the Dáil to Taoiseach, Michael Martin.
“Many families would have been very joyous during the summer when the medical cannabis access programme was to commence. But sadly, in a PQ response today, not one patient has been given access thus far. That is a huge disappointment to those families that this treatment could make life-changing benefits,” he said.
He added: “So what do you say to families that feel let down by the program and now they have to look at other treatments and probably getting no treatment at all?”
Michael Martin replied by saying that a lot of patients have been facilitated by the original ‘imported license’ but was unsure as to why patients had not availed of the MCAP. He promised to follow up with the Minister for Health which is currently Stephen Donnelly of Fianna Fáil.
Gino also announced changes to the Cannabis Regulation and Control bill that he is due to submit. It will now take place next year with a focus on production and consumption for personal use.
Due to unforeseen circumstances it will be early next year before I can submit the Cannabis Regulation and Control Bill. The bill will now focus on production and consumption for personal use. I hope this can be a step to a regulated system that ends prohibition of cannabis.
— Gino Kenny TD (@Ginosocialist) November 9, 2021
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