Noel Ahern to ban magic mushrooms

[Libero]

In another effort to protect us from ourselves, the man in charge of our National Drugs Strategy, Noel Ahern TD, has announced on RTÉ radio today that he will bring forward secondary legislation to criminalise the possession of mushrooms containing certain active substances. Quite how ad hoc decisions made without much effort at justification count as "strategic" is beyond me, but this is politicians we're dealing with.

At the moment, it is only illegal to possess magic mushrooms that have been processed, e.g. dried or cut.

When it was suggested to Mr. Ahern that perhaps people should be left to decide these things for themselves, he warned us all that magic mushrooms can be dangerous and addictive. The 'addictive' claim is well open to dispute, and mushrooms are far less dangerous than, say, alcohol and lots of other legal things.

Mr. Ahern was also less than reassuring on how people will turn from law-abiding citizens to drug-offence criminals simply by picking up a certain type of mushroom. It is entirely possible that under his new legislation, anyone who picks up some mushrooms to clean their garden or a field will be guilty of possession of controlled drugs.

In other news, some road in India is to be named after Eamon de Valera. It's truly a great little nation we live in.

[Bogwarrior]

Ridiculous, unworkable, and dangerous. It's obviously just gimmickry politics, to get de name in da papers. This will only lead to dumbass teens eating the mushrooms raw, and in situ,(like when I was a dumbass teen).
Whats next? Criminalising the possession of glue or aerosols?
Magic mushrooms only grow for a few short weeks in September, and are hardly number 1, in the threat the Irish youth division. Most people try them once, throw up, and grow out of it, before the next season is upon us.

[Conor]

Magic mushrooms only grow for a few short weeks in September, and are hardly number 1, in the threat the Irish youth division. Most people try them once, throw up, and grow out of it, before the next season is upon us.

AFAIK, magic mushrooms are cultivated all year. They're certainly available for sale all year; I'm not sure how the law reflects this.

At last, a politician has the guts to stand up and do Something about the mushroom-chomping hordes of young people that plague our streets, out of their minds on The Drugs. Thank God. Our national obsession with magic mushrooms is something for which we should all hang our heads in shame. It's about time Something was done.

This counts as Something.

[rockofcashel]

"Down with this sort of thing"

[Jim84]

One of the best places in Dublin to get magic mushrooms is the base of the papal monument in the Phoenix Park

That according to the Star, so it's probably not true

[Bogwarrior]

One of the best places in Dublin to get magic mushrooms is the base of the papal monument in the Phoenix Park

That according to the Star, so it's probably not true

Surprised The Star doesn't refer to them as "Evil Mushrooms", instead of the catchy. "Magic Mushrooms". Like those plebs who refer to suicide bombers as Homicide bombers, just to be smart.

[rockofcashel]

nah, try your local golf course. Don't know why, or what it is about fertiliser they use on golf courses, but every magic-mushie I ever knew seemed to take great interest in the game round aug-sept time

[Maximus]

There have been a number of tragic deaths recently related to magic mushrooms. Most recently a young lad jumped off the balcony of a 5-story apartment block while at a party. Its believed the mushrooms had been bought in a local “head shop”.

If the Minister’s regulations save one life they will be worthwhile.

[FTA69]

There's a field outside Crosshaven in Cork where a large KFC coke cup can be filled in about 40 minutes of picking. Mushrooms are not "addictive" at all, do no harm to anyone and as such should be freely available. Bloody whingers will want to ban fags and drink next, or maybe fatty foods "because they're bad for ya".

Picture the future headlines: "7 kilos of chips seized in dawn raids in Tallaght"

"South African drug mule found carrying 2 pounds of swallowed batter sausages".

[Bogwarrior]

There have been a number of tragic deaths recently related to magic mushrooms. Most recently a young lad jumped off the balcony of a 5-story apartment block while at a party. Its believed the mushrooms had been bought in a local “head shop”.

If the Minister’s regulations save one life they will be worthwhile.

Was this an alcohol free party? If not, you'll have to get a better example of the dangers of MM's, rather than someone, who may have been
A. suicidal.
B. Drunk
or C. Drunk with Magic Mushroom intake.
The South American Indians take these things, like we have a lunchtime drink. All Aherne has done has given this product, some cool media coverage, no doubt the fields of Ireland will be tramped tomorrow, by hordes of curious teens.