Appeal by 23 groups to regulate ‘cannabis free for all use’ view

A group of 23 organisations has issued a statement calling on the government to urgently address the increase in the view that Malta has become a cannabis use free for all.

The statement says that the recent developments surrounding the appointment of a new executive chairperson for the cannabis authority has confirmed their strong reservations.This being that the government has introduced legislation with a major social impact in a hurried manner and without creating effective structures to implement the law.

Whilst the ‘free for all’ mentality seems to have taken hold, ‘the structures contemplated by the law to regulate are conspicuous by their complete absence’ the statement reads.

The government has not, according to the group, matched the drive to legislate with the necessary resources to set up a strong authority to implement the law in a serious and responsible manner.

‘We augur 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’ the statement reads.

The organisations in question are:

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

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