Minister for Health Simon Harris Suggests Irish Farmers Should Start Growing Cannabis

Minister For Health Simon Harris has suggested that growing cannabis plants in Ireland for medicinal use could be a possibility in the future.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Ear To The Ground, he discussed his hopes to introduce legislation to allow for its medicinal use.

The episode of the agricultural series was taking a look at this possibility as well as how cannabis farms in the US operate.

Harris said on the show, “This is not about the recreational use and people smoking joints.

“This is about using in a controlled way, in a monitored way, with the support of your clinician, a product that could ease your pain and suffering after you’ve tried all the conventional treatments.”

“This is a major priority for me and I really want to see this happen in 2019.”

Talking about the possibility of Irish farmers growing cannabis, he said, “I think I could be an opportunity for Irish farmers in due course.

“Does it make sense to grow your own in Ireland rather than be dependent on importing a product? I think quite frankly it does.”

He added that they “can’t obviously do that overnight”, adding, “There is quite a lead in time and there are patients who need this product as soon as possible.

“What we’re likely to do in the first course of action is to try and secure a product.

“Then in the medium terms talking about growing our own and securing our own supply in Ireland is the sensible thing to do.”

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