Blindboy Boatclub on cannabis use in Ireland.

"I want to argue against prohibition."
In a new report, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned that cannabis represents the “gravest threat to the mental health of young people in Ireland today”.
The report found 45,000 15-34 year olds in Ireland now meet the criteria for cannabis dependence.
However it’s become a more potent drug over the last few years, with varying levels of CBD and THC. Is it time to legalise and regulate cannabis to reduce the harm?
Blindboy Boatclub is an author and podcaster, and he joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to tell him why he believes it should be legalised.

[ElectricalNoises]

Jesus Chirst, the most sensible man in the country wears a plastic bag on his head.

[ciarandoherty]

What an absolute breath of fresh air blind boy is, articulate, intelligent, compassionate and has a real care for the well being of mental health in our country. Everything he says here is spot on. Fair play.

[gerRule]

In Canada they build schools and hospitals with the taxes from cannabis

[theroomshakers]

just drive through any town at 2am when they are throwing out people from a night club and to me its drink should be banned, anyone taking cannabis will not harrass you, puke on your street, start a fight for no reason, beat their partner. Just saying. Its simple legalise it and regulate it.

[owlznshiz]

I really appreciate that the interviewer wasn't trying to cut across blindboy and let him make his points, rare and refreshing on Irish radio!
It's such a pity that our health service is so badly underfunded in all areas, when we have amazing healthcare workers 😞

[darksider]

Legalise and regulate.... Its actually irresponsible not making it legal.

[timheavyable]

Forbidden fruit will always make it more appealing. I lived in Holland for 2 years and they have the lowest use of cannabis among teenagers in Europe. The facilities available to young people are amazing, loads of football pitches, sports centers and youth clubs. The Dutch use cannabis responsibly, many of my friends when i was there smoked very occasionally, they would buy a prerolled joint from the local coffeeshop after work on a friday and they would smoke it over the course of the weekend. It was such good quality that literally a few puffs on the joint would be enough to relax with and watch a movie and have a mellow night.
Its tourists from countries where it is illegal that smoke it heavily, along with heavy drinking who are falling around and the Dutch hate that carry on.
Best thing would be to legalize it, and make it available to over 21 year olds and be quality tested with clear literature stating the strength of both THC and CBD on the label. The genetics and sourse should be made note of as well.

[Rebelrenaissance]

It's coming lads. Look at how they're panicking, it's pathetic. Bring it on.

[vilennon]

You hit the nail on the head here blindboy.

[seanorourkeartist]

The greatest risk to young people's mental health is the housing crisis - Well said Blindboy 👊🏻🙏🏻✊🏼

[billrose]

Blindboy speaking sense. Not many people do that these days. Thanks for giving him the platform and allowing him to speak without interruption.

[TheLivingPhilosophy]

Brilliant eloquent summary. I can't understand why this has 20% dislikes. The heavy-handed paternalistic attitude was a non-starter and the example of Prohibition alone should give us pause. Making cannabis legal isn't saying woo woo let's everyone smoke weed and make special vapes for kids to get stoned. It's about providing the safest and most supportive context for people to make their own decisions. When I was a teenager legal highs were rampant in Limerick and the effects on people were shocking. Even the psychotic THC weed is a downstream effect of the war on drugs; you don't get done for the strength of the weed but for the weight of it—another gross incentive that creates a more dangerous context. It's sad that people like Blindboy will be ignored and it's only when the money comes knocking at the door from across the ocean that the paternalistic attitude will give way to "let's copy America"/make money attitude (though without a doubt at that point it will be spun as a move of concern and compassion)

[lorcanmacken]

So happy that most Irish people aren’t buying the anti-weed propaganda...

[IONLYPLAYCODFTW]

First person to explain the situation in Ireland well
Take the control away from criminals

[HenryPhD]

Really appreciate the discussion guys.

[snufkinhollow]

I have to confess that I had never heard of Blindboy before this came up on my Newstalk notifications but I found this discussion so refreshing and will definitely be subscribing to his podcasts. As others comments have said, it was informed and intelligent whilst not straying into being completely 'pro' or completely 'anti' cannabis. I would also compliment the interviewer for making sure that all sides of the debate were discussed but not constantly interrupting to be provocative.

As someone who has experience of many of the issues discussed here, I can honestly say that careful use of what Blindboy describes as the old style 'hash', i.e. cannabis with a good balance of THC and CBD, used to be of far more help with some of my mental health issues (and other issues such a physical pain) than anything offered by the woefully inadequate mental health services in Ireland, or the legal drugs that they have no problem in prescribing - which can be both addictive and have side-effects just as bad, or worse, than cannabis.

[mattmmk]

Prohibition gives power to the criminals

[slynskey]

About time we heard this side of the argument....Blindboy is totally correct on every point he made,

[jdownes]

blindboys eyes are wide open, speaking facts

[nojabhere]

This is the first thumbs up I've given to this channel in months, this is a breath of fresh air