Cannabis prosecutions dropped significantly in Ireland last year, after the police were permitted to issue cautions for possession instead of court proceedings. In 2020, 11,127 people were prosecuted for the possession of cannabis. In December 2020, the Adult Cautioning Scheme was expanded to include cannabis possession for personal use. Last year, the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland warned that the view that cannabis is ‘harmless’ was having “devastating effects”, and called the drug the “gravest threat” to young people’s mental health in Ireland. PsychosisEarlier this month, leading psychiatrist Sir Robin Murray warned parents of the clear link between smoking cannabis and psychosis.

Source: The Times January 19, 2022 15:05 UTC