This week Malta became the first country in the European Union to legalize the use and cultivation of Cannabis for responsible personal consumption, whilst ensuring that those who choose to make responsible use of the substance are not treated as criminals.
Needless to say, however, that this new law does not come without any form of criticism. Various individuals and organizations voiced their opinions on the matter. With that being said, we should all agree on the principle that the ultimate aim behind this legislation, is that those who make responsible use of cannabis are not to be tried before courts or tribunals.
Although I respect those who argue differently, the truth is that the status quo needed to be addressed. The decriminalisation of cannabis on its own would still have led the users to interact with drug traffickers in order to obtain the substance. The Labour Government approached this law from a harm-reduction perspective, working towards eradicating the black market and implementing a just environment for those who choose to make responsible personal use of cannabis, within the legal limits.
The regularisation will tackle trafficking circles associated with cannabis that are related with inferior quality and criminality. As a result of this new law, humiliating treatments and arrests will soon become a thing of the past, and so will judicial procedures in consequence of small amounts of cannabis.
That is not to say that Malta will be making an industry out of recreational cannabis, as others have done. Cannabis smokers will in fact be allowed to possess 7 grams of cannabis, while they will also be able to grow up to 4 plants at home. As regards the latter, it is important to note that the regulation speaks about plants per household, and not per person. Therefore, in a situation whereby two or three substance users live in the same house, the same regulation will also apply, meaning that limit will still be of 4 plants. Moreover, cannabis users will also not be permitted to store more than 50 grams of dried cannabis, and the use of cannabis in public will also not be permitted, and neither will be smoking cannabis near minors.
Within itself, this is very important because normalizing the use of cannabis is not the ultimate aim behind this legislation. To the contrary, we must strive to educate the public - across all ages and from a very young age - on the effects of consumption of cannabis amongst other things, and consequently the public will have adequate knowledge to make better informed decisions themselves.
During the whole consultation and legislative process the stark difference between the two political parties was crystallised. On the one hand, the Labour Party re-affirmed itself as the party in Government proceeding forward with constant legislative reforms which strike the balance between personal freedoms and responsibility, while the Nationalist Party was absent from the discussion and vote. I am confident that the Labour Party in Government will continue bringing positive change and just reforms in our society.
Josianne Cutajar is an MEP