Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530962
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 DECEMBER 2024 2025 LOOKING FORWARD be ready to defend the human rights of people who use can- nabis, and remain steadfast against political pressure and/ or influence from profit-ori- ented entrepreneurs. 2. Practical harm reduction, environmental and social justice tools Throughout the new year, one augurs that CHRAs will be provided with additional tools to fulfil their full harm reduc- tion potential, including the possibility to produce hash and edibles (only from flowers) and the possibility for members to be introduced to less risky methods of consumption such as herb vaporisers. Moreover, to further advance long-term sustainability CHRAs should be provided with financial as- sistance and grants to encour- age environmentally sustain- able practices - reduce, reuse, recycle - from seed to distribu- tion. As identified by Belacko- va and colleagues, social equity opportunities are too part and parcel of a harm reduction and not-for-profit model. Examples of social equity in- clude the distribution of can- nabis surplus (at no cost) to people using cannabis as an exit tool from substances with a higher margin of risk such as heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabinoids, and/or vulner- able groups facing serious so- cio-economic challenges, such as homelessness. These measures restore dig- nity, and empower commu- nities to explore alternative avenues, ultimately being best positioned for innovative social change. 3. Advancing regulatory oversight, transparency, accountability, and good governance The proper adoption of these monitoring tools is pivotal to ensure the cannabis reform is fulfilling its immediate and long-term human rights goals. Proper regulatory oversight will rest squarely on independ- ent academic and professional collaborations, ideally estab- lished with reputable foreign institutions. To mention just a few ex- amples: Correlation Europe- an Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN), the Transnational Institute (NL), the Pompidou Group (Council of Europe), the Trimbos Institute (NL), the European Society for Social Drug Research (BE), and the European Union Drugs Agen- cy. Furthermore, both legis- lative and regulatory bodies tasked with implementing the cannabis reform should follow the EU Drugs Strategy (2021- 2025) Strategic Priority 7.3 and ensure meaningful representa- tion and funding of civil society organisations representing the cannabis community. Thank you! As we share our blessings for a peaceful and prosperous New Year, I invite you to join me in a round of applause for the people cultivating canna- bis at home, for those forming a cannabis harm reduction as- sociation, and for those joining these associations. Thank you! you remain key to promote the responsible use of cannabis, and ultimately, a more just and harmonious society. Karen Mamo holds an MSc in Addiction Studies and an MSc/ MA in Conflict Resolution and Mediterranean Security. Since 2019, she has been promot- ing an educational initiative called Harm Reduction Malta. Between February 2023 and November 2024, she occupied the role of Policy, Research and Harm Reduction Manager with the Authority for the Responsi- ble Use of Cannabis. for 2025 and beyond Karen Mamo is a harm reduction expert Cannabis concentrates made using solvents, such as shatter and other types such as Rosin and "butane hash oil," contain relatively elevated levels of THC. These products should be used with caution and ideally only by experienced cannabis users.