Dublin is a city in Ireland where people talk a lot about marijuana, also called “weed.” This guide will help you learn about weed in Dublin. You’ll learn about the cannabis plant, the laws, how to get it, and the city’s weed culture. It’s perfect for anyone new or already into cannabis.
Key Takeaways
- Dublin is in the middle of a big talk about marijuana, also known as “weed.“
- This guide will teach you about cannabis, Ireland’s weed laws, and how to get it in Dublin.
- It will also look at how people see weed in the city changing.
- You’ll understand the weed scene in Dublin, from laws to culture.
- The guide is for both newbies and cannabis fans in the Irish capital.
Understanding Weed in Dublin
Before we dive into weed in Dublin, let’s get to know the cannabis plant. Weed, or marijuana, comes from the Cannabis plant. This plant has many compounds. THC makes you feel high, and CBD is used for health reasons.
What is Weed?
Weed is another name for marijuana. It’s a substance from the Cannabis plant. This plant has over 100 cannabinoids. THC and CBD are the most famous ones.
THC makes you feel high. CBD is used for health reasons and doesn’t make you feel drunk.
Weed Culture in Dublin
In Dublin, weed culture is lively. You’ll find social scenes in parks and pubs. There are also local growers and online groups for weed fans.
The city’s social life often includes weed, especially in some places and groups. But, weed is illegal in Ireland, so this culture is in a tricky spot. People have different opinions about it.
| Compound | Effect |
|---|---|
| THC | Psychoactive, responsible for the “high” sensation |
| CBD | Non-psychoactive, often used for medicinal purposes |
“Cannabis has been illegal in Ireland for almost a century, with public opinion shifting positively in recent years.”
Weed Laws in Ireland
In Ireland, the laws on weed are strict. They don’t allow the sale, possession, or growing of it. Even though many places are making weed legal, Ireland says no to it.
Possession
Having any weed in Ireland is illegal. If caught with it, you could get fined between €1,000 to €3,000. You might even go to jail.
Sale and Distribution
Selling or sharing weed is a big no-no in Ireland. You could get hit with bigger fines and more jail time. This is to stop weed from getting around.
Cultivation
Growing weed is also against the law in Ireland. You need a special license from the Department of Health and Children. If you grow without a license, you could face big fines or jail.
There’s a lot of talk about making weed legal, but Ireland says no for now. They’ve made some rules for medical weed, but not for fun use. Changing the laws might need a big shift in how people see weed worldwide.
“We have to be very careful that we don’t glamorize the use of cannabis. We have to look at it from a healthcare perspective in terms of addiction and the health impacts.”
– Taoiseach Micheál Martin, on the potential legalization of cannabis in Ireland
Medical Cannabis in Dublin
Ireland has strict laws on cannabis but allows it for medical use in some cases. In 2019, the government made it legal for certain health issues like epilepsy, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis. But, getting cannabis for health needs a doctor’s prescription.
The Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) is a five-year trial. It helps people with specific health issues get medicinal cannabis. The MCAP covers three health issues: multiple sclerosis, severe nausea from chemotherapy, and hard-to-control epilepsy.
Studies show cannabis-based treatments work well in Ireland. For cancer patients, it helps with nausea and vomiting from chemo. It’s better than regular meds. Also, for epilepsy, whole-plant cannabis cuts down on seizures more than just CBD.
In November 2022, Oleo started the Medical Cannabis Card in Ireland. It gives info on medical cannabis prescriptions, like the CMUR number. Having a valid medical cannabis prescription is legal in Ireland. But, using it without a prescription is illegal.
Tilray is a big cannabis company helping thousands of patients. They work with top hospitals and universities to improve cannabinoids for health. They have many types of cannabis, like indicas and hybrids, in different forms.
Experts say the MCAP is too limited. They want more health issues and products added. As the MCAP is reviewed, the future of medical cannabis in Ireland is still being talked about and might change.
weed in Dublin: Finding and Accessing
In Dublin, getting marijuana is tricky because it’s illegal to sell it. But, people might look for other ways to get it. These ways can be risky, so think carefully before you do.
Street Dealers
Buying weed from street dealers is risky. You might get bad quality or something that’s not safe. It can also lead to big legal problems, like fines or jail.
Online Platforms
Some people buy weed online when there are no legal shops. But, be careful because these sites might not be safe or legal. Buying online is as risky as buying from street dealers.
Private Clubs
Private cannabis clubs are another way to get weed in Dublin. They’re not always legal, and joining them can be tricky. Even if they seem safe, they might not always follow the law.
Choosing how to get weed in Dublin is a big decision. You need to know the legal risks and dangers. Always think about your safety and well-being before getting weed in the city.
Public Perception and Attitudes
Many people in Dublin have a cautious approach to weed because it’s still illegal. They worry about health risks and breaking the law. But, things are slowly changing, especially with the young folks. They think weed should be legal or decriminalized.
Surveys show more people want to make weed legal for fun. In 2006/07, 19.1% wanted it legal. By 2019/20, that number went up to 29.9%. Young men in Dublin, those who use it, know people who do, and think it’s not too risky are more likely to agree.
Even with more support, most Irish adults still don’t want weed for fun. Young people are more likely to try it, but they’re not all for it.
Community Support
Cannabis users in Dublin feel like they’re part of a community. They help each other out and work for policy changes. They want a kinder approach to weed, especially for health and reducing harm.
| Demographic Factors | Support for Recreational Cannabis Use |
|---|---|
| Gender | Being male was a significant predictor of agreeing with recreational cannabis use. |
| Location | Living in Dublin was a significant predictor of agreeing with recreational cannabis use. |
| Cannabis Use Experience | Recent or past cannabis users, and those who know cannabis users, were more likely to support recreational cannabis use. |
| Perceived Risk | Perceiving cannabis use as not being a great risk was associated with higher support for recreational cannabis use. |
| Approval | Not disapproving of cannabis use was associated with higher support for recreational cannabis use. |
People in Dublin have mixed feelings about weed. They’re careful, but views are changing. Young people and some groups are slowly warming up to the idea of making weed legal or less strict.
Industrial Hemp in Ireland
In Ireland, growing cannabis is still illegal. But, growing industrial hemp is okay. Farmers can get a yearly license to grow hemp with a tiny bit of THC. But, the Irish hemp industry is having a hard time. It faces problems with places to grow and a small market.
The history of industrial hemp in Ireland goes back over 1,000 years. Recently, more farmers started growing hemp. By 2017, 200 hectares were grown by 17 farmers. The 2018 Farm Bill helped by taking hemp off a list of controlled substances.
| Year | Hemp Cultivation Licenses |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2019 | 60 |
Industrial hemp is used for many things like paper, oil, and twine. It also helps with carbon sequestration and stops soil erosion. But, the HPRA in Ireland doesn’t see CBD from hemp as a medicine.
Wild Atlantic Hemp is a family farm in County Clare. They grow cannabis in natural soil and make CBD oil without solvents. They aim to grow the hemp industry in Ireland and focus on tracing their products back to licensed farms.
The hemp industry in Ireland is still growing. There’s ongoing research to improve growing hemp and find new uses for it. The Irish government and entrepreneurs are working hard to make the most of industrial hemp in Ireland.
History and Politics of Cannabis in Dublin
Cannabis has a long history in Dublin, Ireland. It started in the 17th century when Irish farmers grew hemp for English ships. This early use changed over time, and it was banned later.
Now, the politics of cannabis in Dublin is changing. In 2014, the Irish government made medical cannabis legal for some conditions. But, using cannabis for fun is still illegal.
Politics
In 2016, most drug issues in Dublin were about cannabis. If you get caught with it, you could face big fines or even jail. This is true if you get caught more than once.
- In November 2022, a bill was introduced in Dublin to legalize personal usage of cannabis and possession of up to seven grams.
- In early December 2022, the ‘Joint Committee on Justice’ recommended decriminalizing drugs like cannabis and considering legalization.
- In February 2023, a Government Minister disclosed to the media that she had smoked cannabis in her 20s.
- As of July 2023, the Labour and People Before Profit parties, along with several independent TDs, have expressed support for legalizing cannabis in Ireland.
Even with these steps, the Irish government is still careful. They voted to keep strict rules on cannabis. The debate is ongoing as people discuss the future of cannabis in Dublin and Ireland.
Conclusion
Weed in Dublin is a complex topic with strict laws and changing attitudes. It’s illegal to use marijuana for fun, but you can use it for health reasons under some rules. If you’re new or love cannabis, it’s key to know the laws and culture around it in Dublin.
There are worrying trends, like more teens and young adults using cannabis. This has led to health problems and a big load on healthcare. We need a good plan to tackle these issues.
The talk about weed is always changing. It will be interesting to see Dublin’s and Ireland’s take on it in the future. Keeping up with new news and rules helps you make smart choices. It also lets you join in on the discussions about weed in Dublin.