Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1437264
NEWS 6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 DECEMBER 2021 NICOLE MEILAK NATIONALIST leader Bernard Grech refused to clarify whether or not his party will repeal a new law legalising cannabis use in Malta if in government. "I will make sure to have all the data and analyse the situation," he said after the cannabis reform was passed by parliament on Tuesday. The Opposition voted against the reform. Grech argued that the reform will threaten the health of Maltese youths, whilst saying that the law was passed without proper consultation. "A Nationalist government under my watch won't mess with the rights of Maltese society," he remarked. In a Facebook status on Tuesday, former PN leader Lawrence Gonzi rallied against the cannabis reform and said he hoped the law was not being introduced to serve the interests of the few. However, he also put pressure on the Opposition to be more assertive and promise to withdraw the law. Gonzi said someone has to "step up and think about removing it as soon as possible using all the legiti- mate means". Earlier on Tuesday, Malta became the first Euro- pean country to legalise recreational cannabis. The reform was approved by 36 votes to 27, with the Op- position voting against. The ground-breaking law will allow the possession of up to 7g of cannabis and the growing of four plants at home. It also provides for regulated clubs from where cannabis can be sold to registered members. Initially, Grech had claimed ownership of a propos- al for regulated cannabis clubs when the full text of the bill was published. Afterwards, Grech was unable to convince his par- liamentary group to support the Bill, with the parlia- mentary group coming out against it. Although the Opposition did not support the re- form, it did not put forward any substantial amend- ments. This allowed the Bill to sail through the par- liamentary process and committee stage. Meanwhile, 53 organisations and individuals peti- tioned parliament to amend parts of the bill and mit- igate what they claimed would be a negative impact on society. Bernard Grech silent on whether PN will repeal cannabis law KARL AZZOPARDI IN a historic first for the country and the EU, Malta has officially legalised recreational cannabis use. Parliament voted in favour of the cannabis reform on Tuesday afternoon, after the Opposition had called for a division during the Third Reading. The vote was carried with 36 in favour and 27 against. The Opposition voted against the Bill. The ground-breaking law will al- low the possession of up to 7g of cannabis and the growing of four plants at home. It also provides for regulated clubs from where canna- bis can be sold to registered mem- bers. The White Paper on responsible cannabis use was published last March, and received 350 submis- sions from a number of NGOs and individuals. The process was also marked by a number of U-turns by the Nation- alist Party. Opposition leader Bernard Grech had claimed ownership of a pro- posal for regulated cannabis clubs when government published the text of the Bill. However, Grech was unable to convince his parliamentary group to support the Bill, and the PN came out against it. During parliamentary discussions, Grech branded the bill an "aliena- tion" exercise from the serious mat- ters affecting Malta like the FATF greylisting. However, during the committee stage, the Opposition MPs did not put forward any substantial amend- ments. In a last-ditch effort, 53 organi- sations and individuals petitioned parliament to amend parts of the Bill, to mitigate what they claim will be the negative impact on society. On Tuesday, former PN lead- er Lawrence Gonzi weighed in on the matter, pressuring his party to commit to repeal the law. The Maltese parliament has approved by 36 votes to 27, the legalisation of cannabis use for recreational use Malta first European country to legalise recreational cannabis