A group called the Donegal Cannabis Social Club has built up a major following after being set up just over six months ago.
The group was set up by Candice Faulkner (pictured above) with the aim of ending the stigma around the use of cannabis.
The group advocate the right to access legal whole plant cannabis for medical and wellness purposes in Donegal.
The Donegal branch was set up in November last year, and has already exceeded 6,500 likes.
Candice explained how the group is for people who are “sick and tired of being chastised by society for doing something that improves their quality of life.”
The page shares educational resources regarding the use of cannabis and debunks common misconceptions of the drug. Many articles relating to scientific and sociological research into cannabis are published daily.
As cannabis has been know to have medicinal benefits, Candice is passionate cannabis legalisation as she believes it can help people from everything from cancer, to menstrual pains.
Cannabis, also known as weed and marijuana, refers to the dried flowers, leaves and seeds from the hemp plant. It can be smoked, made in tea, or eaten.
In the US, cannabis has recently been legalised for recreational and medicinal use in states such as Colorado, Alaska, and Washington. The majority of states have decriminalised the use of cannabis and allow it to be used for medicinal purposes. Candice hopes that Ireland will follow suit.
Candice got the idea to establish the club from her boyfriend, Tony, as he runs the Legenderry cannabis club in Derry.
The Donegal branch was set up in November last year.
Candice explained the common misconceptions surrounding cannabis to Donegal Daily; “A lot of people just associate cannabis with a joint or a bong or just getting high. They don’t know about cannabis-infused lotions, balms, and oils that are absorbed through the skin for pain relief and inflammation. There are a lot of ways to use cannabis that will not get you high.”
Cannabis can even be consumed by baking it into brownies!
“There has been zero overdoses and zero deaths ever from cannabis. It is not a gateway drug. Alcohol is 114 times more dangerous than cannabis.”
“5,500 tobacco smokers die each year from tobacco related diseases. But you can buy tobacco in most shops?#8221;
Candice believes that in ten years time, the cannabis debate will be over as people will become more aware of the benefits of cannabis.
She describes how she gets countless messages to the Donegal Cannabis Social Club’s Facebook page from people seeking Rick Simpson Oil, as it is believed to help the body mend while fighting cancer. “One in three people in Ireland will develop cancer during their lifetime…. so why is this effective, non toxic medicine not available? There is an immediate need for cannabis in Ireland. We have the proof. More and more people are coming out of the cannabis closet and standing up for their rights.”
The Irish Cannabis Clubs are a network for all cannabis users to support each other, share knowledge about cannabis and help others make better choices regarding their health. It is not a place to buy, sell, or source cannabis.