Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1172208
19 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 SEPTEMBER 2019 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Recreational cannabis debate THE conclusion that the electoral promise will not be implemented is completely mistaken and does not reflect what was said in an in- terview on TVM (Raphael Vassallo, MaltaToday 23 September). The electoral manifesto promised a de- bate on cannabis for non-medical use. This debate kicked off in an inter-ministerial committee a few days after the general election, and continued with various stakehold- ers. It was agreed that the electoral promise on cannabis for medical use must be separated from the rest of the cannabis discussion and dur- ing this legislature the respective laws passed through Parliament. During this short period of time, Malta has also enacted new laws to enhance our pharmaceutical indus- try and open doors to the manu- facturing of cannabis derivatives for medical use. In parallel, the Parliamentary Secretary continued discussions with numerous stake- holders regarding the third step - cannabis for non-medicinal use. With reference to the TV pro- gramme, the Parliamentary Secre- tary never said that this electoral pledge would not be honoured. To the contrary, she explained that the basis of the argument should never be to give the impression to our children that they should resort to drugs for their recreation (irrespec- tive if it is cannabis or not). It was in this spirit that the Par- liamentary Secretary made refer- ence to the educational campaign. Unanimously, stakeholders includ- ing the community representing cannabis users, agreed that the basis of this reform should be an educational campaign amongst children, teenagers and even adults. This campaign began a few months ago and by the end of this scholastic year (which will start this week), we will reach 9,146 students. As explained on various occa- sions, the Parliamentary Secretary does not agree that users keep on relying on drug dealers to buy cannabis with all the dangers this poses. Many times users are offered cannabis mixed with chemicals or other hazardous materials. Hence, the need of a debate on how adults who are 21 years and older can use cannabis responsibly and in a safe way, is of paramount to our commitment. Parliamentary Secretary Julia Farrugia Portelli insists that like all the other reforms entrusted to her portfolio, this reform will also be implemented. Bernice Farrugia, Communications Officer, PS Reforms Seeking Maltese breeders with knowledge of Turtle Dove I have read with great interest arti- cles relating to Turtle Doves (Strep- topelia turtur) printed by yourselves and would like to contact Maltese breeders who might be prepared to share their knowledge and show us first hand their management skills for the success- ful breeding of this Endangered Species of bird in captivity in Malta. We are involved in the long-winded pro- cess of setting up a charitable "Turtle Dove Trust" here in the UK whose aims and objectives are to breed in cap- tivity the Turtle Dove for a release program. This is our first year and we have produced in excess of 100 individu- als which will help form new pairs for the 2020 breeding season. Our aim is to produce in excess of 500+ birds next season. If anyone will be prepared to ar- range an itinerary for my wife and I to meet sympathetic Maltese breed- ers willing to share their expertise and knowledge to help save this threatened species, please get in touch on email waveneywildlife@ gmail.com. Trevor Lay, Waveney Wildlife