Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529778
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 NOVEMBER 2024 4 INTERVIEW Andrew Bonello: 'Cannabis association deregulation only way to kill off shadow market' ReLeaf President Andrew Bonello be- lieves deregulation on how people pur- chase their legal cannabis is the only way to kill the shadow market. He sits with me to discuss govern- ment cannabis reform, what he wants to see change and his NGO's relation- ship with Caritas. With driving out the cannabis shadow market being among the top priorities for the reform, Bonello is asked why illegal marijuana is still being sold and people are still being caught trafficking the substance. He believes that restrictions which are still in place, such as the registra- tion of members, and limits on pos- session, the shadow market still has the upper hand. On complaints about the consump- tion of smokable cannabis in public, Bonello questions whether this is a moral or physical health concern. "If you are in a small room, and there are people smoking than it is a health issue, but if you are outside, and you don't agree with it, that is a moral issue," he says, insisting that people who are not responsible can be found in every aspect in life. He is also an advocate for ons- ite consumption at cannabis clubs, which is currently illegal in Malta. "People are forced to consume can- nabis alone, as they want us to do, and this is more dangerous, rather than consuming as group," he says, falling short of mentioning who "they" are. When asked whether he feels can- nabis associations should switch to a commercial model, Bonello says he is caught between two minds. "We are not completely against it, but the issue with commercialisation is that you do not have a level play- ing field among associations, and you would have franchises which take over the market, consolidate the business and drive out the small guys," he says. Questioned whether ReLeaf con- siders Caritas its "enemy", he plays down their opposition, insisting they do agree on a number of points. "I have to say that Caritas always agreed with decriminalisation. The difference in views came when we started discussing [possession] amounts, and they wanted less. I have to say we have a good rapport, but we are at logger heads," he says jokingly. ReLeaf President Andrew Bonello sits down with Karl Azzopardi to discuss government's cannabis reform, further changes to the law, pubic consumption of marijuana and his NGO's relationship with Caritas