The Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC) and the University of Malta (UoM) have signed an agreement aiming for effective collaboration in various fields, especially in regard to cannabis research and testing, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Equality and Reforms stated on Friday.

The Secretariat said that the ARUC and UoM are committing that an analytical study will be carried out by the university's Department of Chemistry by next October, with the study being on substances and pesticides that can be found both in cannabis grown legally by licensed associations as well as the illegal cannabis in possession of the Court.

Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg said that this research should show in a scientific way how the dangers of cannabis differ between that sold on hand and cannabis legally cultivated under the controls of the ARUC and the Harm Reduction Associations licensed by the authority.

The Secretariat stated that Buttigieg expressed satisfaction that a cooperation framework was agreed between the ARUC and UoM which aligns with the purposes of the law whereby while cannabis was and still is illegal, its use in a controlled manner is reducing the damage to health as much as possible.

UoM Rector Professor Alfred Vella remarked that this agreement is an important one, and added that the university has several resources which are important to continue to be used for the good of society.

ARUC Chairperson Joey Reno Vella said that as a result of this agreement, the ARUC will be in a better position to strengthen its cooperation with Agenzija Sedqa in awareness campaigns against drug abuse and to continue strengthening the regulatory framework for licensed associations.