The Medical Association of Malta has called for the withdrawal of the cannabis white paper, saying it is "poorly thought out" and presented without the input of health and social professionals who deal with the after effects of cannabis use
In a position paper on the white paper presented by the governmenty in March, MAM warned against the promotion of the island as a place for “cannabis tourism or commercialisation of recreational cannabis”.
The union said it was in favour the depenalisation and decriminalisation of recreational cannabis for personal use, but it was against the use of cannabis for non-medical purposes.
As Malta recovers from the COVID19 pandemic now is not the time to introduce measures which will burden the health system, MAM said.
Cannabis use can have debilitative health effects. Increased use will need increased health infrastructure to cope with it.
"After all the progress we made to tackle smoking and the harm it causes MAM is disappointed to see government proposing regression in this area," MAM said.
The proposed law does not address the increase in accidents seen elsewhere nor the consequences of accidental expose of children to cannabis.
MAM called for suitable treatment and support services for those who are affected by mental health consequences of cannabis use, and their families.
It said it believes the response to cannabis use should be one whereby cannabis users are diverted into education or treatment programs. Law enforcement should target the suppliers of cannabis.
MAM also recommended that the public does not use recreational cannabis to ease mental health conditions, and to instead seek professional medical services in such instances.
MAM said cannabis is a drug “that causes a range of health and social harms at the individual and community level.”
The union supported a harm reduction approach to cannabis use and that cannabis users should be addressed through education and treatment programmes while law enforcement should target the suppliers of cannabis.
The doctors said cannabis use led to significant neurological effects on children as a result of accidental ingestion and said children should be protected from any exposure.
The doctors union also warned that cultivation of cannabis plants in homes will make cannabis products more accessible to minors.
There was enough evidence to support the idea that cannabis is a “component cause” in the development of psychosis.
MAM called on medical practitioners to be aware of dual diagnosis - psychiatric and alcohol and drug disorder - issues and multiple drug use problems when taking patient histories, especially of young people.
MAM position paper