The White Paper on Cannabis should not only encourage more education on the use of cannabis, but it should also encourage a stronger formation of character for youths, the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession (MACP) has said.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, MACP said that in tandem with education on cannabis, more of a focus should be placed on educating children on personal growth in Personal, Social and Career Development (PSCD) lessons at school, as well as counselling for any adolescents who may be facing personal struggles.
These initiatives will encourage youths to seek out help, rather than becoming victims of cannabis use, MACP said.
“We need to offer other alternatives for adolescents and youths to find positivity and find a place where they can let their potential emerge”, it said.
The MACP also expressed its concern with certain proposals put forward in the White Paper, such as the proposed seven grams which an individual can hold within their possession.
“It is not clear how one came to the conclusion for seven grams when you can get a considerable number of joints from these grams”, it said.
It also said that it is unclear why a total of four plants within one’s possession were proposed in the paper.
It is difficult to see how the maintenance of these plants will not affect members of a family who do not agree with the growth of the plants, especially when one is living in a confined, restricted space, it added.
The White Paper also presents a contradictory view of cannabis, it added. Whereas, on one hand, it encourages an open dialogue about the recreational consumption of cannabis, the same White Paper stresses the negative effects that cannabis has on one’s health and memory.
“Are we going to continue giving the impression that for one to relax one needs to suffer from these consequences? What sort of recreation is this?” it questioned.
While the White Paper marks an important step in the decriminalisation of cannabis, the MACP stressed that the those people who are in possession of more than seven grams of cannabis should be taken to the Commissioner for Justice in order that a care plan is eventually developed for the individual.
“In this way, the Commissioner for Justice will certify that the person is given all the necessary help to regulate and stop excessive use”, it said.
It also appealed for an explanation for how parents will regulate cannabis use in front of their children, as this could lead to serious consequences.
Excessive use of cannabis could also affect the relationship between a parent and a child, in that the parent’s consumption of cannabis could compel them to turn attention away to their child when they need it.
When asked by this newsroom how the government will be ensuring that parents do not smoke cannabis in front of their children behind closed doors, a government spokesperson responded that “Government has faith in the responsibility of parents and guardians in observing the law and ensuring the best environment for their children”.