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People caught with cannabis may now avoid prosecution
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People caught with cannabis may now avoid prosecution
Words: Dylan Murphy
Those caught with cannabis deemed to be for personal use may now avoid prosecution and a criminal record under an adult caution system.
The intention of the caution system is to reduce the number of first time offenders getting criminal records as well as those who commit minor crimes.
The process will also allow Garda to deal with offenders more informally and simultaneously free up more of their own time. It is one of four new offences added to the system and is the first time in the history of the Irish State that a drugs offence can be dealt with outside the criminal justice system.
It is worth noting that if caught repeatedly or with larger amounts it is still possible to face prosecution.
Back in August of 2019, former Minister for Health Simon Harris stated that around 12,000 people would be affected by the inclusion of cannabis on the caution scheme.
The news comes after the announcement that the psychedelic compound DMT is to be trialled in the UK to treat depression.
