Scottish Government calls for drug decriminalisation while Germany moves towards legal cannabis

Just 48 hours after Leo Varadkar said in the Dáil that the Government may reject the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs' recommendations, their Scottish counterparts are calling for the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal use.

"We want to create a society where problematic drug use is treated as a health, not a criminal matter, reducing stigma and discrimination and enabling the person to recover and contribute positively to society," says Scottish Drug Policy Minister, Elena Whitham. "While we know these proposals will spark debate, they are in line with our public health approach and would further our national mission to improve and save lives.

“These are ambitious and radical proposals, grounded in evidence, that will help save lives," she adds.

With the latest yearly figures showing 1,330 drug-related deaths, Scotland has one of the highest drug mortality rates in Europe. Drugs, though, are not a devolved issue, meaning that any changes to the country's current laws would have to be sanctioned by the Conservatives in Westminster who've already blocked the safe drug consumption rooms that the SNP are desperate to introduce as a way of combating overdose deaths.

Meanwhile, the German Government is pressing ahead with its plans to legalise cannabis intended for personal use despite EU opposition. Under the terms of the new law, adults will be allowed to cultivate up to three plants and possess up to 25g. People aged 21 and under will be limited to a monthly maximum of 30g of marijuana, which must have no more than a 10% THC content.

The Czech Republic has already said that it'll revise its own cannabis laws to keep in step with their German neighbours. Indeed, it's hard to see how any mainland EU country could continue with prohibition if marijuana is legalised in the block's biggest state. If that's the case, will Ireland be the only refusenik?

https://www.hotpress.com/health/leo-vardakar-under-fire-for-saying-the-government-may-reject-citizens-assembly-on-drugs-findings-22978074

https://www.hotpress.com/sex-drugs/drugs-open-letter-leo-varadkar-hot-press-22779212

An emotional day for us. Hear from our our member and @LeapScotland's @IanAndrewLS as he reacts to the news that he's wanted to hear for many years...

The Scottish Government propose new drug policy reforms! Please watch and share - this is what it means: pic.twitter.com/7ljTa1hPjl

— LEAP UK (@UKLEAP) July 7, 2023