The Bill on the recreational use of cannabis was approved by Parliament without any amendments and came into effect after President George Vella signed it on 18 December. It seems government wanted to rush things in order to give a green Christmas present to cannabis users! This is undoubtedly a sad moment in the history of our nation! As I write this article, no regulatory authority has so far been appointed!
Dr Owen Bonnici pushed and rushed through the approval of Bill 241 so that Malta will be able to boast about passing a “progressive law” and a first for the European Union. Government and Releaf, the organisation that led the campaign in favour of this law, have been focusing on harm reduction and have insisted that this law will eliminate stigma and the black market. Government and Releaf are both wrong. They are not listening to psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, to Caritas Malta and Oasi Foundation who are experts in the field of prevention and rehabilitation programmes and who have decades of experience in the field. Aġenzija Sedqa and the Superintendence of Public Health have been completely silent (or silenced?) on this Bill. They too can share their expertise about the negative effects of this law.
Research by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) (https://learnaboutsam.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-Impact-Report1.pdf) on lessons learned after four years of marijuana legalisation in 2012 in the states of Colorado and Washington show clearly that the laws have had significant negative impacts on public health and safety: rising rates of pot use by minors; increasing arrest rates of minors; higher rates of traffic deaths from driving while high; more marijuana-related poisonings and hospitalisations and a persistent black market! This study was reviewed by researchers from Harvard Medical School, Children’s Hospital Boston, University of Colorado and the University of Kansas.
I have never experienced so much arrogance and disrespect in what was supposed to be a mature dialogue between a network of 57 non-partisan organisations, NGOs, associations, social partners, academics, Church institutions and Minister Bonnici to amend the bill and reduce risks to young people and future generations. Dr Bonnici assured the public that he had listened to all stakeholders. It seems that for Minister Bonnici listening to others means meeting representatives, using a lot of sweet talk and at the end totally refute all suggestions made by all of them, including our strong and united coalition. Government completely ignored 9,434 citizens from all walks of life who, in less than a week, signed a petition to Parliament to amend the Bill.
We tried very hard to make sure the law has a stronger regulatory framework and mitigate the risks to society, particularly to the younger generations and vulnerable people. We asked government to: 1) increase the age when consuming cannabis would be made legal, from 18 to 25; 2) increase the distance of cannabis clubs that can have up to 500 members, from schools, youth centres and post-secondary institutions, from a mere 250 metres to 1 kilometre; 3) double the fines for smoking cannabis in front of children and in public; 4) remove the possibility allowed in the law for cannabis to be grown in residences adjacent to schools; 5) regulate the amount of THC allowed in cannabis; 6) retain clearly the present situation whereby government campaigns on drug use focus exclusively on prevention measures explaining the risks of cannabis use. Education campaigns should not be run by the authority which acts as regulator of what government is defining as “responsible use”, but by agencies like Caritas Malta, Oasi Foundation, Aġenzija Sedqa, the Superintendence of Public Health, and the Ministry for Education that emphasise the responsible choice of no use. The Medical Assocation of Malta has recently pointed out (https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-12-21/local-news/No-such-thing-as-responsible-cannabis-only-dangerous-addictive-drug-MAM-6736239241) that there are 24 medical research studies that have shown that there is no such thing as “responsible cannabis” but rather a “dangerous addictive drug” with serious long-term consequences on mental health.
The second reading of Bill 241 on the recreational use of cannabis was just one long session where no single amendment by any association was accepted. And this was boasted of as “dialogue” and “listening to all stakeholders”!
To add insult to injury, we received a note from MP Joe Mizzi, who agreed to close the petition a few minutes before the final vote was taken in Parliament, quoting a parliamentary standing order (150) that clearly allows the committee to submit our petition to the House of Representatives for discussion. Instead, he did none of this!
We genuinely ask: whose interests is the government protecting? Certainly not those of youths and future generations who deserve much better. All 57 organisations have been part of a strong coalition in favour of decriminalisation and against any form of stigmatisation.
The millions that will be made by those who have an interest in lining their pockets will be spent on psychiatric and other medical services. Regrettably, the Tal-Ibwar World Class centre, just inaugurated by Caritas with support from government, will eventually not suffice for the rehabilitation of so many more that will inevitably be hit by this law!
Parents and educators are seriously worried about this law and its consequences and they are right to do so. The latest 2019 ESAP statistic for 15/16-year-olds in Malta is alarming: 12% of these students regularly smoke cannabis. The new law will normalise this practice and increase the dependence on cannabis and eventually heavier drugs. The Malta Association of Psychiatrists has asserted that the lack of planning and the lack of commitment by government to tackle the consequences of this law are frankly frightening and irresponsible. The Association has warned there will be an increase in cannabis-induced mental disorders or consequences. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the future we will debate a Bill on the recreational use of cocaine!
The arrogant and disrespectful attitudes we have received from government during the past weeks will not stop us from continuing our mission as educators particularly in fostering among young people a sense of hope for their future. I encourage all professionals to continue to work for a better Malta which offers alternatives to cannabis and to strive to excel in education, sport, voluntary work, care for the environment, and to give a sense of purpose in life to so many young people. Church institutions that have formed part of the coalition against this law will not remain silent, nor will they be pushed to remain in the sacristy where politicians like Dr Bonnici would like us to be. The leadership, vision and mission of Pope Francis and of our bishops are those of a Church that is deeply engaged with the world! We will rise to the challenge!
Fr Jimmy Bartolo is a Jesuit priest and rector of St Aloysius College. He has been coordinator of the Church Schools Association since 2015.