Highly potent variations of cannabis have been finding their way into Malta with the percentage of the active ingredient – THC – shooting up to 20-30% from the milder hash form that normally has a percentage of about 3%.

A recent study in the UK has shown that everyday users of the strong skunk-like cannabis (it gets its name from the very strong smell that it emanates when it is smokes) are more at risk of mental illness, such as psychosis.

The issue was sensationalised in the British press, when a leaked copy of the study was turned into a story saying that all cannabis leads to mental illness. Once the fallout settled, it became apparent that it is only everyday users of the strong variety who risk inflicting themselves with a mental illness.

The issue here is about education, information and awareness. Many young people use cannabis as a recreational drug – but are they informed of the possible side effects of smoking too much of the strong stuff? The answer is probably no. If one goes back over the years, the trend was for blocks of hashish to make their way into Malta from North Africa. However, this gave way to the more lucrative plant and bud business, which seemed to be finding its way to Malta from Sicily.

The dealers found a thirsty market for this version of the drug, which can be found on sale in most mainland countries, and even in Amsterdam’s coffee shops. It is understood that the police Drug Squad has been monitoring the catamaran service when it docks in Malta from Sicily and has made more than one bust in the recent past, suggesting that they have identified the source and seek to strangle it.

Against this backdrop, the government is presently planning to decriminalise the possession of all drugs: The present proposals would be users referred to a justice commissioner who could issue a warning or a fine and refer the case to a social board which would decide what action – including rehabilitation programmes where applicable – is necessary. Referral to the board would be compulsory for repeat offenders.

But a special exemption is being envisioned for cannabis users, who should not have to face the board irrespective of how many times they are caught in possession of the drug, although the justice commissioner may have the discretion to refer them in some cases. It remains to be seen whether the findings of the study would have an impact on these plans, and how.

Perhaps the government ought to review its plans when it comes to cannabis. If there is a link between mental illness and the high-potency version of the drug, then it might want to insert a clause in the legislation, which differentiates between low and high potency cannabis.

 

Relaxing laws to prevent people getting a criminal record for smoking a joint is a positive thing, but having a situation where people are pickling their brains without even knowing it is not. Education, awareness and information are the key.