Around 4 in 10 people are now in favour of legalising cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.
Cannabis advocates feel the time is right for it to happen, while health experts have expressed concern.
At the moment, if Gardai find someone in possession of cannabis - the person can receive an adult caution or face prosecution.
Depending on previous offences, this can lead to a €2,500 fine or jail time.
This new journal.ie and red c survey shows 39% of respondents want cannabis legalised for recreational and also medicinal use.
There is an overwhelming support for the medical use of cannabis according to a new poll https://t.co/tViTTlSq39
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) May 17, 2021
MEP Luke Ming Flanagan says allowing recreational use would hit criminals hard.
However, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland says potency of cannabis doubled between 2006 to 2016.
The number of hospital admissions of young people with a cannabis-related diagnosis rose by 300% between 2005 and 2017;
Men and those in living in urban areas are more likely to be in favour of legalising cannabis for recreational use.
