This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ireland-just-accidentally-legalised-ecstasy-ketamine-and-crystal-meth-10098612.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ireland just accidentally legalised ecstasy, ketamine and magic mushrooms | Ireland just accidentally legalised ecstasy, ketamine and magic mushrooms |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| For the next 24 hours, a host of Class A drugs are legal (or else in a legal quandary) in Ireland due to an accidental loophole in drug laws. | For the next 24 hours, a host of Class A drugs are legal (or else in a legal quandary) in Ireland due to an accidental loophole in drug laws. |
| The Dáil will sit tonight to pass emergency legislation after the 1977 Misuse of Drugs Act was found unconstitutional by the Irish Court of Appeal this morning, making the drugs it prohibits (technically) legal. | The Dáil will sit tonight to pass emergency legislation after the 1977 Misuse of Drugs Act was found unconstitutional by the Irish Court of Appeal this morning, making the drugs it prohibits (technically) legal. |
| The bill will be rushed through but comes with a provision that states it can only take effect on the day after its signature, placing Ireland in a very grey area with regards to the legality of drugs including ecstasy, ketamine and magic mushrooms until midnight on Thursday. | |
| . @campaignforleo statement on the temporary legalisation of ecstasy (among other drugs) pic.twitter.com/tO84E7H8Xf | . @campaignforleo statement on the temporary legalisation of ecstasy (among other drugs) pic.twitter.com/tO84E7H8Xf |
| In what it deemed a "constitutional issue of far-reaching importance", the three-judge Court of Appeal unanimously declared a regulation making the possession of methylethcathinone (known as 4-Mec or Snow Blow) illegal now invalid, as the 1977 Act was being added to without consultation of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament). | In what it deemed a "constitutional issue of far-reaching importance", the three-judge Court of Appeal unanimously declared a regulation making the possession of methylethcathinone (known as 4-Mec or Snow Blow) illegal now invalid, as the 1977 Act was being added to without consultation of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament). |
| The Department of Health issued an explanatory memorandum saying that as a result of the judgement, "all substances controlled by means of Government Orders made under section 2(2) cease to be controlled with immediate effect, and their possession ceases to be an offence. These include ecstasy, benzodiazepines and new psychoactive substances, so-called ‘headshop drugs’". | The Department of Health issued an explanatory memorandum saying that as a result of the judgement, "all substances controlled by means of Government Orders made under section 2(2) cease to be controlled with immediate effect, and their possession ceases to be an offence. These include ecstasy, benzodiazepines and new psychoactive substances, so-called ‘headshop drugs’". |
| Ecstasy refers to MDMA, while benzodiazepines include diazepam or 'Valium'. | Ecstasy refers to MDMA, while benzodiazepines include diazepam or 'Valium'. |
| However, according to The Journal, the act has also been used to outlaw the possession of ketamine, magic mushrooms and other drugs. | However, according to The Journal, the act has also been used to outlaw the possession of ketamine, magic mushrooms and other drugs. |
| @gavreilly Seanad will deal with it tomorrow I have just been advised @campaignforleo | @gavreilly Seanad will deal with it tomorrow I have just been advised @campaignforleo |
| @TheRealHeadshot Only in Ireland, sadly, but you've got 31.5 hours to get here. Legal to possess and buy, but illegal to sell or supply... | |
| 125 substances are thought to not be affected by the judgement and remain as illegal as ever, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine. | 125 substances are thought to not be affected by the judgement and remain as illegal as ever, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine. |
| A Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill will be considered in the Dáil by the Health Minister Leo Varadkar between 8pm and 11pm tonight, with a Sinn Fein private members' bill having to be postponed while the government prevents widespread drug-addled pandemonium. | |
| "We had no way of knowing what the Court would decide today, but we prepared for this possibility," Varadkar said. "Legislation was prepared and approved in advance by Cabinet. The emergency legislation I am introducing today will re-instate the status quo ante and re-control all drugs that were controlled prior to this judgment." | "We had no way of knowing what the Court would decide today, but we prepared for this possibility," Varadkar said. "Legislation was prepared and approved in advance by Cabinet. The emergency legislation I am introducing today will re-instate the status quo ante and re-control all drugs that were controlled prior to this judgment." |
| The ruling could throw many past convictions into question. | The ruling could throw many past convictions into question. |
| "I'm told it's dozens," the minister added. "But I can't say for certain because what they'll have to do now is go thought each individual case and see if the people in question were charged just under this section of the act, or if they were charged with other acts as well." | "I'm told it's dozens," the minister added. "But I can't say for certain because what they'll have to do now is go thought each individual case and see if the people in question were charged just under this section of the act, or if they were charged with other acts as well." |
| Update: Varadkar has suggested that supply and sale of controlled drugs remains illegal, though it is not clear what legislation he is basing this on. | |
| Update 2: Quite separately, the Irish government might have also accidentally managed to outlaw heterosexual marriage today. | |
| @christophhooton | @christophhooton |