Twenty three organisations have expressed their concern at the "free for all" attitude on cannabis use, nearly one year after it became legal to grow the plant at home.

The recent developments surrounding the appointment of a new Executive chairperson of the Cannabis Authority confirms our strong reservations, that the Government has introduced legislation with a major impact on society in a hurried manner and without creating effective structures to implement the law.

The organisations were referring to the dismissal of Miriella Dimech from the post of executive chairperson of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis, and was replaced by Leonid McKay.

One year after the law was approved, the organisations said in a statement Saturday, the perception that the use of cannabis in our society has become ‘free for all’ has dramatically increased while the structures contemplated by the law to regulate are conspicuous by their complete absence. The undersigned organisations express their concern that Government has not matched its drive to legislate with the complimentary and necessary resources to set up a strong Authority to implement the law in a serious and responsible manner.

"We hope that the cannabis authority would be given the necessary resources to develop the appropriate structures to regulate such a sensitive sector in a manner which protects the interests of the most vulnerable members of society, particularly children and youths. We also hope that the government will open up to feedback from society, particularly from those organisations who work on a daily basis with victims of the negative effects of substance use, including that of cannabis," the organisations said.

The press release was sent by Caritas Malta, Malta Association of Psychiatry, Fondazzjoni OASI, Maltese Association of Social Workers, Richmond Foundation, Kamra tal-Ispiżjara, Malta Employers Association, Secretariat for Catholic Education, Anti poverty Forum, Church Schools Association, Alleanza Kontra l-Faqar, Independent Schools Association, Gozo Tourism Association, Karl Vella Foundation, Gozo Business Chamber, Dar Osanna Pia, Dar Tal-Providenza, Fondazzjoni Paolo Freire, Millenium Chapel, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, Dar Merħba Bik, Kummissjoni Ġustizzja u Paci, Fondazzjoni Sebħ