Ireland heads to the polls this month, and while the presidential office is often seen as ceremonial, the candidates we choose can still shape the national conversation. For the cannabis community — patients, advocates, and families who’ve been pushing for reform — the question is whether the next President will use their platform to keep the issue in the spotlight or let it drift into the background once more.
Across the water, big personalities like Donald Trump are making noise about CBD and cannabis in the US, sparking headlines and investor chatter. But here at home, what really matters is how our own candidates — Heather Humphreys, Jim Gavin, and Catherine Connolly — position themselves on decriminalisation, medical access, and the wider stigma that still surrounds the plant in Ireland.
The Irish legal baseline — where we stand now
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Recreational cannabis is still illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Possession, sale, and supply remain criminal offences, with Gardaí exercising some discretion on small amounts.
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On the medical side, Ireland introduced the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) in 2019, but it’s narrow — available only for specific conditions like multiple sclerosis, spasticity, chemotherapy nausea, and treatment-resistant epilepsy.
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Legislative attempts, such as the Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Regulation) Bill 2022, have opened debate on regulation, but full legalisation or broad decriminalisation has yet to pass the Oireachtas.
So, progress exists — but it’s limited, slow, and carefully controlled.
The candidates and cannabis — what do we know?
Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael)
Fine Gael traditionally leans cautiously on cannabis. The party has voiced support for harm reduction and some forms of decriminalisation, but not full legalisation. If Humphreys follows party lines, we might see encouragement of small reforms but not a major push for a regulated market.
Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil)
Fianna Fáil has, in recent years, discussed decriminalisation of personal possession, signalling openness to change. While not a full green light to a recreational market, it would represent a significant step for patients and ordinary users who risk criminal records under the current law. Gavin, if elected, could use the presidency to highlight this softer stance.
Catherine Connolly (Independent, backed by Sinn Féin and left groups)
Connolly comes with backing from groups that are more vocal on reform. Sinn Féin, while sometimes cautious, has supported harm reduction, and Connolly’s independent track record suggests a willingness to amplify social issues. For cannabis advocates, her presidency might offer the clearest chance of seeing the plant’s place in healthcare and society raised more openly.
Why the presidency matters (even if it doesn’t make laws)
The Irish President doesn’t draft drug laws — the Oireachtas does. But the Áras is not powerless:
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The President can amplify debate, putting pressure on ministers to act.
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The President can refuse to sign bills they believe conflict with the Constitution, sending them to the Supreme Court for review.
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Most importantly, the President shapes the tone of national conversations. For an issue long weighed down by stigma, tone matters.
If the next President chooses to treat cannabis access and decriminalisation as serious, health-driven topics, it could legitimise and accelerate reform.
The EU context — looking beyond Ireland
We can’t forget that Ireland often moves in step with European neighbours. Germany’s partial legalisation in 2024 and ongoing reforms in countries like Malta and the Netherlands create pressure for harmonisation within the EU. Ireland’s small size and export-driven economy mean we rarely act first, but often follow when European consensus builds.
If the US really does shift further — as Trump and others hint at — that will add more global weight. But Ireland’s immediate influence will come from Brussels and Berlin, not Washington.
Why the cannabis community should stay engaged
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Decriminalisation is on the table — multiple parties are edging toward it.
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Medical expansion is overdue — MCAP could be broadened to include more conditions and easier access.
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Cultural acceptance grows — each election cycle, cannabis moves further from taboo into serious policy talk.
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Presidential voice matters — even if symbolic, a supportive President can normalise the conversation.
Our view: cautious optimism
As a family that built Bud Brothers on belief in the plant, we’ve seen enough “false starts” to be wary of overpromises. But we also see the trajectory: slow, frustrating, but moving.
The next President won’t write the law — but they can keep the plant, and the people who rely on it, visible. Whether Humphreys, Gavin, or Connolly takes the Áras, the cannabis community should demand clarity on where they stand. We’ve rung this bell before, only to hear echoes fade. Maybe this time, if we keep at it, the sound will carry further.