Activist group Crainn to 'widen the discussion' around drug policy in annual Cannabis Information Day

Activist group Crainn are aiming to “widen the discussion” around sensible drug policy in their third annual Cannabis Information Day this Saturday.

Volunteers from the community organisation will be hitting the streets for a day of action to highlight ongoing inaction around cannabis regulation and bring awareness to sensible drug policy solutions.

Crainn are at the forefront of the campaign for a sensible drug policy in Ireland, meeting with ministers and health officials regularly and most recently taking part in the Citizens’ Assembly.

READ MORE: Activist group Crainn call for 'radical reform' of drug policy amid multiple reports of 'contaminated supply'

“Crainn is a voluntary community organisation,” Graham Temple, a mental health nurse and volunteer with the organisation, told the Irish Mirror.

“We seek to give the public and policymakers sensible drug policy solutions. Ireland’s current laws are outliers as other countries begin to reform their drug laws.

“So as part of that Crainn has met with ministers, TDs, and public health officials regularly, presented to the Joint Committee on Justice and Citizens’ Assembly.”

Beginning at the Spire in Dublin at 11am this morning, Crainn will hold their third annual Cannabis Information Day, where volunteers on the streets will hand out pamphlets and try to engage the public on sensible drug policy

“So this is the third annual information day, it’s been held on April 20 every year,” Graham explained.

“Basically what it entails is we get some volunteers out onto the streets of Dublin, usually around the GPO area, O'Connell Street, down on Henry Street, and we give out pamphlets and try to engage the public to have a discussion about drug policy with people and really try to just change minds and open the conversation.”

Crainn's Graham Temple speaking at the Citizens' Assembly
(Image: Crainn)

Graham says that he hopes Crainn can help “widen the discussion” around drug policy through the information day in Dublin ahead of the upcoming local and EU elections.

“Really what we want to get out of this is to really widen the discussion,” Graham continued.

“We feel that the Citizens' Assembly had quite narrow terms of reference and focused primarily on the small percentage of drug users who have problem drug use, versus the 90 per cent of drug users who have non-problematic use.

“And so we'd really like this be in the zeitgeist, to be an election issue. We also hope that during the local and EU elections people can bring the issue of drug policy in the doors.”

Crainn’s event is just one of countless being held over the country on Saturday. The Major Group For Cannabis Reform will hold the Major Smoke-Up, with speeches from Luke Ming Flannagan MEP and Gino Kenny TD, taking place at 1pm on Stephen’s Green.

Little Collins CBD will also be offering free CBD edible samples and CBD coffee in their Dublin and Galway stores. Graham says that it is important these events be held to help “break down stigma”.

“I think it's important number one to show that there is an appetite there and also to break down stigma,” Graham said.

“I think there's a lot of stigma around cannabis use still in Ireland whether recreationally or medically, so I think that's an important aspect of it. It can also be quite social, like-minded people can get together.

"Our point of view, we're trying to engage the public in general policy, give them solid information on drug policy, on the policies here, on our country's policies.

“I'm sure you've seen in the media it's not really reported on. Germany’s decriminalisation model was reported here and there that it happened, but no one really dug into why Germany is doing this.”

You can find Crainn at the Spire in Dublin at 11am on Saturday, April 20. Gino Kenny and Luke Ming Flannagan be speaking at St Stephen’s Green at 1pm. For more information about events on throughout the day, head here.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.