Prime Minister Robert Abela acknowledged in Parliament the controversial opinions and different perspectives over the bill to reform cannabis laws as the true foundation of democracy, but insisted that the laws as proposed would not encourage drug use.
During the second reading on the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis Bill in parliament on Monday, Abela emphasised what was already said on the reform by Minister Owen Bonnici last week, that the state should not reprimand an individual for simply, “smoking a joint.”
The approach towards harm reduction will prevent people from going through what the Prime Minister called, “a trauma,” referring to the penalising measures being taken against them for the recreational use of cannabis.
Abela continued to say that he is perfectly aware of the different views and criticisms from various entities and organisations which are circling around this topic. “This is how a democratic country should be built,” said Abela on these views.
The Prime Minister stated that despite the criticisms over lack of control, he ensured that there will be regulations, limitations, and restrictions regarding the consumption as well as the cultivation of the use of cannabis recreationally. He continued to say that “sensitive” and “difficult” topics such as these should still be confronted rather than ignored.
Abela added that the bill does not encourage people to resort to drugs, but rather emphasised that law enforcement will be strengthened to reduce the existing drug trafficking problem.
He also said that there will be an increase in education against drug use with this reform.
Health repercussions from excessive use of Cannabis are not being addressed – Godfrey Farrugia
Independent opposition MP Godfrey Farrugia said that while he is in favour of the bill to reform cannabis laws, he is sceptical on the various health effects which the excessive use of cannabis brings upon the individual.
He noted that the previous reform on the medicinal use of cannabis was done haphazardly, and he disagreed with the apparent ‘normalisation’ of the recreational use of cannabis, as it would indeed be normalised by alleviating such restrictions.
Farrugia retorted that not enough emphasis is being placed on the health effects which affect chronic cannabis users. Just as there is a major drinking problem in the country, the normalisation of this law will bring about another problem, he said. He questioned the proposed threshold of between 7 grams and 28 grams whereby one could be faced in front of a tribunal, commenting that this is quite a large difference.
Farrugia proposed that the reform should look into the psychological effect cannabis leaves on the individual, and not put the sole focus on decriminalisation.