As already revealed on hotpress.com, the issue of Hot Press that hits the streets tomorrow (50 Greatest Gigs Ever in Ireland on the cover) contains an extensive, open and disarmingly honest interview with Independent TD Clare Daly. In the interview, the Dublin North TD says that she believes cannabis will eventually be legalised in Ireland.
“We will legalise cannabis in this country,” the 47-year-old told HP’s writer-at-large Olaf Tyaransen. “We have to. It’s a normal part of life for a lot of people. And bear in mind I have no interest in taking drugs, I don’t advocate that people would do that, necessarily, but I recognize that it’s a reality."
The TD expands further on her view in relation to cannabis. And she also addresses the issue of the legalisation of harder drugs such as heroin and cocaine. “Yeah, I’m open to that,” the former member of the Socialist Party says. "It’s more complicated because they are potentially more harmful. So look, I’m probably not equipped enough to adjudicate on that. I mean, I’ve seen the harms that drugs can do, but I also believe that people can make informed choices.
“That’s a much better way of dealing with it than outlawing substances, so I think we need to have that debate, but I’d be maybe a little bit more wary on that, but yeah, I wouldn’t rule it out. Absolutely not.”
For more with Clare Daly, who also talks candidly in the interview about being arrested for trespassing at Shannon and for 'drink-driving', the Irish Water situation, legalisation of prostitution and why the brewing Nama scandal will "make the banking inquiry look like a walk in the park", pick up the new issue of Hot Press, on sale from Thursday July 23 or click here to purchase online now