The Joint Committee on Justice will meet with stakeholders on the topic of ‘An examination of the present approach to sanctions for possession of certain amounts of drugs for personal use’

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House at 3pm and will hear submissions from:

·        Dr Garrett McGovern, Priority Medical Clinic

·        Cannabis Risk Alliance

·        Patients for Safe Access

·        Dr. Nuno Capaz

·         Crainn

 Speaking ahead of the meeting Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy James Lawless TD said “this Committee will use the engagement with stakeholders to examine and highlight whether the current system towards possession of drugs is counter-productive in terms of dissuading drug use. We will look at whether administrative sanctions, rather than criminal sanctions for possession of drugs would be more appropriate and cost effective; how other jurisdictions approach the possession of drugs for personal use and whether a health-focused approach to drug use would be a better alternative to the current approach”.

The meeting can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV

The Joint Committee on Justice  has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.