Hundreds March to Legalise Cannabis

by Paula Geraghty Sun May 09, 2010 21:53 mspgeraghty at yahoo dot ie

images (c)

by Vincent Sun May 09, 2010 22:24

Decriminalising Cannabis protest on O'Connell St, Dublin.

Decriminalise Cannabis

Decriminalise Cannabis

Decriminalise Cannabis

Decriminalise Cannabis

Decriminalise Cannabis

by Toker Mon May 10, 2010 01:25

These marches are the biggest shows of civil disobedience in Ireland and deserve more coverage. The cannabis culture is undefeatable.

by V for vendetta Mon May 10, 2010 03:20

But flood onto the streets to support the right to get wasted and stay doped up and oblivious to the collapse of our society. Aren't the next generation's values wonderful? Dog help us. We're fucked.

Lenihen cynically reduced the price of drink so we'd all be able to afford to stay pissed and stupefied while they robbed us and cut public services. I think he missed a golden opportunity with the head shops to keep us all even more stoned and get more tax money at the same time. Pity they reduced the profits of his crime boss friends too much and had to be closed. On the plus side they did more in a couple of years to weaken organised crime than the gardai ever did.

Go back to bed Ireland. And have a few pints and a toke first. then bend over again. You won't feel it quite as much if you are drunk and wasted. Perhaps the only thing that can save us now from economic ruin is if they DO legalise the weed and all other drugs too, and tax them. Then make Ireland a little green drug haven getaway destination. Perhaps It might revitalise tourism, fill all those ghost hotels, raise property prices and save our economy from oblivion. We need new thinking people! Perhaps these stoner kids have the right idea after all.

That or maybe they are just carrying on the traditional Irish substance abuse traits of their parents and bringing it up to date. Sadly I think it's the latter.

by Nevie Mon May 10, 2010 09:57

Great to see that there are some educated proactive people in Ireland. V for Vendetta, its probably all the highly addictive anti depressants and chemicals that ill trained doctors shovel out to people that are keeping this country complacent. Please educate yourself about this plant, the tree of life as many call it (for good reason). The widespread reintroduction of this plant will probably save the planet, and save the human race from self destruction.

by Stall the ball Mon May 10, 2010 10:06

Toker wrote
"These marches are the biggest shows of civil disobedience in Ireland and deserve more coverage.

The biggest "shows" in this country are trade union marches. When they mobilise they can turn out tens of thousands of people.

by Vincent Mon May 10, 2010 11:12

Decriminalizing cannabis. One should not for get the hospitals around Dublin who are regularly visited by people intoxicated causing mayhem and disruption in the A+E. Although we have ad's saying they are sick of it, it is not enough to deter the alcoholics from getting stupefied and uncontrollable. But not to worry too much about that, 16 people a day die in Ireland from cigarette smoking, oh..................that’s not a problem either. We'll put all our troubles behind us and just make sure head shops get closed down. And that will solve everything.

As yet we have yet to see or hear about some one who was smoking cannabis/hash and raping and abusing or psychopathically killing some one in a state of being high. Smoking cannabis does not cost the State anything in regard to social disorder. In fact the only crime associated with cannabis is the fact it is illegal. That in its self is a crime against freedom. Using the excuse that this substance leads to harder drugs is laughable, the hardest and most destructive drug we have in Ireland is alcohol.

It destroys family life like no other drug. But, the government don't really mind, it brings in much needed revenue from the sales of alcoholic beverages.

Only for AA and Al-Anon in Ireland I would hate to imagine what our society would be really like.

And I’ll finish off on this.......................the government of Ireland as a company; it trades as a profit organisation regardless of who suffers for the profit, just as long as they make profit. Like they do with children in our country, traded for profit.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones in stopping drinking many years ago, I'm am sure it saved my life. Give me a joint any day of the week.

Last but not least

by Actually Mon May 10, 2010 18:29

Actually stall the ball, this march IS one of the biggest acts of civil disobedience. They actually broke the law. The trade union 'can' do a lot 'when' they get they're act together. But the reality is, they have not really been engaged in any civil disobedience at all, not with Jack O' C et all in charge.

So, I guess it is actually the cannabis users that can muster up the courage break the laws that are necessary to break to defend their freedom?

Cannabis is much more than just a drug to smoke. I think we all know about the usefulness of cannabis/hemp at this stage. It is a plant of wonder. We need to use it.

by Toker Tue May 11, 2010 05:47

Dublin and Cork held simultaneous events. Here are some photos from Cork.

by V for vendetta Tue May 11, 2010 11:00

I am educated about this plant. It is an insidious drug that saps motivation. It seems harmless and fun. you giggle a lot and eat everything in the fridge. then you meet new friends who like getting stoned too. Funny how after a while all you ever seem to talk about is getting stoned obtaining "gear" and how they should legalise the weed. Then you stop doing stuff you used to. Your memory gets less reliable. You can't have good sex anymore unless you take a toke. Your job or education starts to suffer because of mood swings or maybe you just don't feel like going in anymore. then you wake up five years later (or 10!) and wonder what you did with all that potential you once had. Who says cannabis is harmless? I've seen good folks go down this road. Cannabis may not make people aggressive like alcohol or destroy families quite the same way, but it does destroy lives.

I am paradoxically in favour of the legalisation of ALL drugs, but only because I'd prefer the drug dealers to be on the high street (sic) where they can pay taxes and be regulated and held to account and the tax money used to fund better rehabilitation programs and public money and resources wasted on ineffective anti drug crime programs and creating prison places can be better utilised on alleviating the root causes of drug abuse such as poverty. It would also result in greatly reduced petty crime in urban areas as drug addicts could be given access to cheap quality controlled heroin (maybe even free??) and would not have to steal one or two hundred euro every day to survive. ( Hell, currently the big dublin retailers would probably club together to PAY for all the heroin doses if they were cheaper because it would reduce the endemic levels of shoplifting! )

You make a good point about the current high street drug pushers pushing their tranquilisers and anti depressants etc. I agree. they are just another bunch of drug pushers. Just socially acceptable ones. Still, at least they pay taxes and can be regulated somewhat. Decco the thug is not so easily regulated, nor is his untouchable supplier who lives in a nice house in ballsbridge.

Humans will always want to take drugs. We might as well face reality and deal with it. But the old approaches don't work. It's time for some new ones. However, that's not to say drugs are actually a good thing. Not at all in my opinion. So march all you want, and get stoned and bullshit about the tree of life. But forgive me if I don't have as much reverence as I should for your drug of choice.And I'll reluctantly support the campaign to legalise drugs. But not for the same reasons many if not most of these marchers do. And perhaps not for the same reasons you do either Naive. I do hope I spelt your name correctly! Sometimes I get these things wrong. My lack of education I guess! :-) Don't bogart that joint now. -V

by Stall the Ball Tue May 11, 2010 11:00

"Actually stall the ball, this march IS one of the biggest acts of civil disobedience. They actually broke the law. The trade union 'can' do a lot 'when' they get they're act together. But the reality is, they have not really been engaged in any civil disobedience at all, not with Jack O' C et all in charge. So, I guess it is actually the cannabis users that can muster up the courage break the laws that are necessary to break to defend their freedom?Cannabis is much more than just a drug to smoke. I think we all know about the usefulness of cannabis/hemp at this stage. It is a plant of wonder. We need to use it."

I couldnt careless whether you smoke or not, its not my business to tell you what you should do, harmful or otherwise, but lets not pretend what your doing is radical or liberatory. The country is in a state of collapse and you think this is "radical". Come on get real.

How does dope get us out of our current mess? Its irrelevant to be honest? Again i reiterate I have no problem with legalisation i just think its a distraction.

by eco joe Tue May 11, 2010 11:26

Smoking openly was an act of civil disobedience. A part of the reason why this county is in the shits is because of the spineless union bosses (not referring to the hard work done by trade union activists) refusal to use civil disobedience to tackle the extreme neo-liberal policies of the "Fianna Fail U" party.

Instead of picking on sections of the protest movements unit and fight these "nutcases" who are running this county back to slavery (IMF instead of a Queen).

TV and consumerism cause a lot more APATHY than smoking weed.

Stakes are high in more ways than one

by barryg Tue May 11, 2010 17:12

Fair play to them for coming out, god knows it must have been a struggle :)

On a more serious note, more people march for legalise it than mayday, thats just mad.

by Conor Tue May 11, 2010 20:16

Reply to 'stall the ball' May 11th, 11:00

''I couldnt careless whether you smoke or not, its not my business to tell you what you should do, harmful or otherwise, but lets not pretend what your doing is radical or liberatory. The country is in a state of collapse and you think this is "radical". Come on get real.

How does dope get us out of our current mess? Its irrelevant to be honest? Again i reiterate I have no problem with legalisation i just think its a distraction''

Your widely gone off the point here. This is not about getting out of our current mess, its about decriminalising a plant. But it just so happens that cannabis could do this island a lot of good. Consider the price of industrial hemp and the fact that the cannabis plant alone can produce textiles, cordage, construction products, paper & packaging, furniture, electrical necessities, automotive materials, plants & seedlants, plastic and polymers, lubricants & fuel, energy & biomass, compost, food & feed. Ireland could tap into that market with the end of the self-interested ''MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT''.

And probably the most important thing is the access to a free and much safer alternative drug. I need not list the illnesses that cannabis can help with, alleviate or cure, because it does so with most illnesses. Im not saying forget modern medicine, but use the plant's natural healing property, thats what its there for!

Ever heard of 'Cannabinoid deficiency'? - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid

(Bye the way 'stall the ball' - no one said anywhere about being radical or libertary [what is this word?]. Stop being such a revolutionary warrior for a sec. It was about cannabis)

by Drugs worker Thu May 13, 2010 11:48

Cannabis is not some wonder-substance. It is true that Hemp is a marvellous plant, with a myriad of uses, however, as a worker, I see on a daily basis the devastation caused by Hash. If we want a revolution, it should be a sober one. It would be a good start if we actually knew what we were doing!

by Vincent Thu May 13, 2010 12:13

We also see every day the work of social workers, 400 children missing and 23 dead, no conection with hash.

by Drug worker Thu May 13, 2010 12:38

I dont think most people in the world want a revolution, and I dont think that thousands of years of social use of drugs is going to stop. We like using drugs and we will keep using drugs.

Where should we draw the line at a ''sober revolution''. No coffee I suppose?

by Richard Thu May 13, 2010 14:24

There you have it from the Drug-worker. The "legalise cannabis" cause is an anti-revolutionary and ultimately reactionary one.

by Drugs worker Thu May 13, 2010 15:21

I'm a drugs worker not a social worker, so not sure what the comments re:social workers have anything to do with this. I'm not defending them but it bears no relationship whatsoever to the question at at hand. Re:sobriety. I like a drink, however, any major social change will not occur because of the legalisation of Cannabis.
People have the " freedom " to choose to do whatever they live. My post was an attempt, by someone who sees at first hand, on a daily basis the destruction caused by Cannabis. When we win the other battles, I will march with you for your " right " to be stoned!
The biggest threat to the state is a smart, clear-minded people.
I'll make the coffees on the morning of the revolution! Fairtrade and organic, naturally!

by Green Thumb Thu May 13, 2010 17:03

And hopefully we can give patients good quality cannabis, 'Fairtrade and organic, naturally!' Its not all about getting high

'The "legalise cannabis" cause is an anti-revolutionary and ultimately reactionary one.' Derp! You've debated with LCI then?

by kevin Fri May 14, 2010 09:23

drug worker just a commet i wonder what you are doing to stop the sale of metadone out side the clinic or is this to close to the bone

by Drugs worker Fri May 14, 2010 09:32

Hi Kevin. Are you addressing the question about Methadone to me? I'm confused because there is another contributor called drug worker. Methadone is not a solution to the Heroin problem, in fact is probably kills more people than Heroin. I'm not a proponent of this method, however, it does help some people.
As regards something being too close tothe bone, I have no idea what you are referring to but please enlighten me so that I can respond.

by kevin Fri May 14, 2010 09:49

are you the guy that said you were a drug worker not a s oc worker

by Drugs worker Fri May 14, 2010 09:55

That's me. I'm a community based worker, working with a voluntary organisation. I can't give any more details, as I am sure you can understand.

by kevin Fri May 14, 2010 10:05

then you should know whats going on outside the clinics im not trying to be smart

by Drugs worker Fri May 14, 2010 10:18

I'm all too aware of what is going on outside the clinics. I have to say that I do not work in the area of Methadone clinics. I would report what I see but other than that, I can do no more, unless I want a knife in my guts. I may sound cynical but I have a family to go home to.
This is another debate, however, and related-directly at least-to the idea of a march to legalise Cannabis.
Should we march to legalise Heroin?
My main point is, that for some people, Cannabis has wrecked their lives.
The issue of clinics is perhaps a discussion worth having. I'm very conflicted on this point.
The drug problem is a complex one. I don't have all the answers, in fact I have very few but I have seen people-with support-reclaiming their lives. There is hope.

by kevin Fri May 14, 2010 10:45

well that s the answer to the drug problem nobody in the field will say anything because it keeps them in a job hope you dont think im hard and i amire your honesty

by Drugs worker Fri May 14, 2010 13:24

Draw what inferences you wish from what I said, however, I really don't understand what you are talking about. Maybe I am a little slow but can you explain you thoughts in a clearer way so I understand. You seem to be implying that drugs workers have a vested interest in maintaining the problem. If that is what you are implying then I have to say that there is no rational response to that.
There are problems outside clinics, however, if that is a drugs worker problem, who works in a community setting, then I really don't follow. I work with people because I love and care about people not because of a large salary, which I certainly do not earn.
I think the problem is far more a structural, systemic one. Look at who ends up in jail and so on.
I think you need to think a bit more about this. I share your concerns and I have no doubt if we had this conversation in person we would see eye to eye on most things.

by EXDRUGSWORKER Thu Jul 22, 2010 13:34

If you look at amsterdam..it brings in a lot of revenue,but living in holland costs in tax,so it is no FINANCIAL SOLUTION..As the tax will prove this!

There are a lot of drug related crimes,it is a hangout for a lot of drug people,the rate of crime there is not an easy task to deal with and all the fund they get from LEGALISING THE WEED,does not help the every day individual walking the street.

I remember when i was walking around amsterdam,people would whisper cocaine cocaine,it was scary in some parts of the street open dealing,of HARDER SUBSTANCES.

People trafficking and the sex trade and related crime that goes with the drug culture is frigtening..

There is nothing lovely about cannabis ,it is a harmful drug.

It also leads to paranoia and schizophrenia,as well as more agressive forms of cancer.

Government probably would be happy to legalize the drug if enough pressure was applied but i guess ur all just too stoned for that..

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sat Jul 24, 2010 15:13

Dont be so nervous.Amsterdam can be a heavy town.So can Ennis.Alcohol is getting kids stabbed every night of the week.Smokers tend to steer round trouble.Alcohol releases more supressed psychosis than anything short of maybe crack coke.Psychoactive chemicals can be used to deal with paranoia and schitzoid conditions, but it is delicate work, and the culture of forbid and keep ignorant creates mentally unhealthy states that actually mimic stability while confusing stasis with health.Mental health requires mental growth, not fixity.I have, when younger found both weed and acid conducive to clearing out a lot of the mental shit an Irish Catholic upbringing inflicted.Fear magnifies and exagerates mental problems.Ignorance reinforces fear.I read up on the shit I was experimenting with and observed the behaviour of users before testing anything I hadn't tried before and we always kept a chain of monitor on the quality of what was about.Cars can be dangerous.But they do have uses.Ditto knives.Man has experimented with drugs since he first picked the 'wrong' mushroom.It was probably his missus testing it out on him before she tried it herself.Thats why they hate us in the kitchen.Our current laws serve nobody but the crims and righgteous killjoys.By telling my kids my stories I reckon they spent less time experimenting than i had to.They passed the phase without the fuss a lot of kids kept in the dark engage in.The mystique attracts curious(ie mentally healthy) teenagers into the more dangerous chemistry set because they think when they find cannabis innocuous all those warnigs about drugs are bullshit and their guard is down for the smack and dirt dealers.Andean societies used coca for millennia before the whiteman got greedy and refined it into a poison.

by Jay Sun May 08, 2011 15:28

Not surprisingly, the Irish media has COMPLETELY ignored this event, yet again. Clearly, this is news-worthy. I have lost all respect for RTE and other mainstream Irish media and will no longer trust them whatsoever.

by V for vendetta Sun May 08, 2011 15:54

"There are a lot of drug related crimes,it is a hangout for a lot of drug people,the rate of crime there is not an easy task to deal with"

Thats an argument a lot of people make. "Look how bad it is in amsterdam"
But it's a gross distortion of the dynamics of the situation

Part of the problem with Amsterdam is that they are the only country that has these laws so all the social casualties from every other country around it go there to do their drugs and have paid for sex.. If every other country adopted a more sane policy to drugs and brothels as have the dutch then people like this would stay at home and hence the burden would be spread out evenly among all european nations instead of being concentrated in amsterdam and the situation in amsterdam would improve dramatically. Instead because of the conservative and ineffective policies of those countries around them (including us!!), they have become the dump for all drug using people and those interested in having paid sex from all the other european countries (and more).
Thats partly why it's so bad there.

Personally I think cannabis is an insidious drug that saps motivation and one must be strong willed to dabble with it and keep ones life together. Handle with care. However the effects alcohol has had on the fabric of our society are definitely much worse in my opinion

But in any case, perhaps at this point we should legalise the weed and tax it to help pay for our public services. It might also increase tourism in our time of need.

by x Sun May 08, 2011 16:39

"Not surprisingly, the Irish media has COMPLETELY ignored this event, yet again. Clearly, this is news-worthy. I have lost all respect for RTE and other mainstream Irish media and will no longer trust them whatsoever."

There was very little coverage on indymedia.ie either. If you were there, you probably had a mobile phone with a camera on it, and you're able to write up a summary of it. Dont give out about a lack of coverage in one place if you're not prepared to contribute your own media in a place that you can (i.e. indymedia.ie). Its an open publishing site, become the media etc.