The Nationalist Party (PN) has called out the government for having a weak regulatory framework which has negatively affected the rushed cannabis bill. 

This criticism follows the sacking of psychotherapist Mariella Dimech from her position as the executive chairperson of the cannabis authority after just 10 months in the role.

She told the Times of Malta: "Over the last 10 months, I have worked with no functional office, no staff, no budget and a political strategy and decision strategy I disagreed with," she told the newspaper.

The PN agreed with the criticism made by Dimech, the party said in a statement.

It pointed out that ten months ago along with 53 organisations and experts, they had warned the government that it was a mistake to rush into this reform.

The PN also pointed out that the criticism that it and other experts have been giving the government for months has now been voiced by the Dimech. The main priority should not be financial gain but should have the people’s best interest in mind.

It added that the government can continue to keep changing the executive chairperson, however, this will not solve anything if it does not address the root of the problem.

“What happened today with the Authority on the Responsible use of Cannabis is confirmation that the government is not competent and not sensitive when dealing with decisions that affect children, young people and vulnerable people,” the PN said.

The PN also brought up how a few months ago in parliament Minister Owen Bonnici pledged that the authority will be given all the necessary resources it needs to be an effective regulator of the sector. However, the PN is saying that this was not done.

“The PN demands that the government does not continue on the path of arrogance and instead listens, for the good of our society, especially the most vulnerable who may also end up a victim of the system that Robert Abela’s government created,” PN said.

The PN is asking the government to immediately strengthen the regulatory framework for marijuana law to be truly effective.

The PN also announce that in the coming days it will be calling the new executive chairperson of the authority, Leonid McKay, to appear before the social committee in parliament to give an insight into how the authority will function.