Hot Press takes part in Joe Duffy Liveline drug debate

Sadly, the Rubberbandits didn't get to talk to Joe Duffy this afternoon, but his Liveline debate on the opening - and imminent shutting - of Ireland's drug loophole did include a contribution from our man Stuart Clark.
Hot Press has had cause in the past to criticise the mainstream Irish media for their lopsided coverage of the subject, but on this occasion Joe and his producer Siobhan Hough ensured that both the 'yays' and 'nays' of the legalisation/decriminalisation argument were well represented.
Citing the findings of the 2015 Global Drug Survey, which over 800 Irish people participated in, Stuart said it was evident that the legal highs banned by Mary Harney in 2010 had gone straight on to the illegal market here.
He also quoted the research-based evidence that reveals there's been no marked increase in marijuana-use since its 2015 legalisation across the board in Colorado. Nor has there been an upsurge in the use of any drug in Portugal, which has the most liberal decriminalisation laws in Europe.
While the Irish loophole is certain to be closed tonight by the Dáil, what won't go away is the legal repercussions of people being convicted - and in some cases jailed - for the possession/dealing/importation of substances that weren't after all illegal.
What if they were barred from a teaching job because of an improper prosecution or for the same reason were unable to travel to the US or Australia to take up work? Might there be restraint of trade and loss of earnings claims from head shop owners deprived of their legal livelihood?
The final word belongs to Rubberbandits' Blind Boy Boatclub who notes: "Today in Ireland I can walk down the road smoking a joint and get arrested, while my accomplice legally smokes crystal meth."