Pubdate: Sat, 06 Nov 1999
Source: Examiner, The (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 1999
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Author: Carl O’Brien

LABOUR MAY SET UP COMMISSION ON CANNABIS LAW

THE Labour Party is expected to discuss a proposal to set up a
commission to look into the issue of decriminalising cannabis next
week.

Senator Joe Costello said yesterday a body to discuss the issue was
long overdue and the idea of a commission was likely to be raised at
its next parliamentary party meeting.

"We have been operating in the darkness for far too long. We have
never had a proper forum to take on board all views surrounding the
decriminalisation of cannabis. Once a commission is set up we would
have scope for debate and legislation if necessary," he said.

The call for a commission also has the backing of Green Party TD John
Gormley and Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins.

Senator Costello said the Government had a duty to keep informed on
all information available on cannabis and needed to obtain up to date
medical views on the effects of the drug.

"This is a drug which has been around for 40 years and it’s high time
the legislators decided to do something about it," he said.

A commission would need to get the green light from the Department of
Justice before setting up, according Senator Costello. It would be
chaired by a judge who would take proposals from interest groups,
professionals, the medical community and international researchers, he
said.

He warned that unless the issues of decriminalising cannabis were
dealt with, drug pushers would continue to profit.

"At present young people are voting with their feet and are using
cannabis and drug pushers are making money out of it. In this
situation drugs will continue be presented in the context of hard drugs."

The call to set up a commission follows a suggestion by former Labour
Party junior Minister Emmet Stagg this week to consider
decriminalising cannabis. However the Labour Party made it clear that
Mr Stagg’s comments were strictly personal, and not those of the party.

Senator Costello said yesterday the call for a commission was a
logical extension of what Mr Stagg had suggested and the proposal was
expected to be raised shortly at a party meeting.

Senator Costello also voiced his opposition to drug laws which grouped
both hard and soft drugs together provided mandatory 10 year sentences
for possession of drugs, including cannabis, worth pounds 10,000 or
more.
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