The focus of the bill to reform cannabis laws is on decriminalisation and harm reduction, Minister Owen Bonnici has said.

Parliament yesterday began discussing the 'Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis Bill', which has been the topic of public debate for many months. Bonnici is the minister in charge of the reform.

Bonnici launched the Parliamentary debate by laying out the reasons for the bill's introduction. "The reality is that people who use cannabis responsibly have long been criminalised." He brought up the case of a couple who were arrested for using the substance in their hotel room as an example.

The bill will prevent users from resorting to obtaining the substance illegally from drug traffickers and will consequently reduce criminal activity, said Bonnici.

The minister said that the government sees harm reduction as the focal point of this reform. He said that the way forward is to create a controlled environment where adults will be treated as adults. The aim is to reduce any suffering and humiliation and provide protection for minors while reducing drug trafficking, he added.

The minister highlighted a few points from the reform, which would, among other things, see the possession of up to 7 grammes of cannabis for personal use decriminalised. The cultivation of a maximum of 4 cannabis plants in any household will also be decriminalised, provided that the plant is not visible to others.

Bonnici said that the bill would allow for the creation of appropriate associations which will control the legal acquisition of the plant. These will also be non-profit associations. The outlets will be regulated and will have a member limit, as well as a limit as to how many grammes of cannabis can be distributed to each member.

Bonnici added that the stigma surrounding cannabis use should be eradicated, and users will be treated with dignity. Workplaces are free to create their own regulations with regards to the use of the substance, he said.

Reacting to Bonnici's speech, Opposition MP Claudette Buttigieg observed that the minister failed to present sufficient research for the reform. On behalf of the several entities which brought forward concerns about the reform, Buttigieg noted that the bill evokes a sense of being rushed, without enough research having taken place.

"There are serious problems with alcohol and drug abuse in the country," said Buttigieg while noting that not enough importance is being given to minors in this bill.

Buttigieg said that, while being in favour of the concept of harm reduction, the reform "failed to address the harm of the mind-altering chemical found in cannabis -THC." She said that there are many who take advantage of medical cannabis and use it recreationally.

On behalf of employers, Buttigieg raised the question of how the use of cannabis by employees will be regulated. "What kind of mechanisms will the government introduce to ensure that someone who uses cannabis will not put themselves and others in danger at the workplace?" asked Buttigieg.

She added that there is a lack of research, data and comparative studies behind the bill and the long-term effects both on the individual as well as the Maltese public are not being considered.