Due to the unprecedented amount of submissions already received, Minister Catherine Byrne has announced that the Public Consultation on the possession of illegal drugs for personal use deadline has been extended until July 13.
The online survey takes just 15 minutes to complete and will inform the new government drug policy that will run until 2025.
Well-placed sources told Hot Press last year that decriminalisation was among the options being considered – and so it’s proven to be with Leo Varadkar revealing that he’s been studying developments in Canada and Portugal in relation to cannabis.
“We're conscious that Portugal has done it and has had some success in moving it from a criminal justice matter to a health and addiction issue and I'm very conscious that cannabis has been decriminalised in every state on the west coast of the United States,” the Taoiseach reflects. "Colorado, most recently Canada and the sky hasn't fallen in, so it's something that's under consideration.”
It’s imperative, therefore, that everybody who supports Hot Press’ call for full decriminalisation should complete the survey and make their voices felt.

The deadline for this important public consultation has been extended to 13th July. Please take 15 minutes to complete the online survey and #haveyoursay https://t.co/kzpAdKcq4l

— Catherine Byrne TD (@CByrneTD) June 22, 2018

In-depth discussion of the matter will take place on Tuesday when Hot Press, the Ana Liffey Drug Project and the London School of Economics journey to Cork for our latest Drug Policy Town Hall meeting in St. Peter’s. Kick-off is 6.30pm with free tickets available from the link below:

WATCH this short video of our first #SaferFromHarm Town Hall event and then register for our next FREE event in St Peter's in Cork City on Tuesday 26th June at 6.30pm. We'll be discussing a health-led approach to the possession of drugs for personal use: https://t.co/ezeFprCWcW pic.twitter.com/I7zzXLkn8O

— AnaLiffey (@AnaLiffey) June 15, 2018