Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532272
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 FEBRUARY 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici's de- cree refusing [Jason] Azzopardi's request for an inquiry clearly states that this pro- cess should not take the form of a public discussion because it can have serious consequences. This is why I will say what I have to say in court. After the process ends, I will be at liberty to speak," Schem- bri replied. Azzopardi's inquiry request was based on a series of articles that appeared in news portals, particularly The Shift News. The reports in The Shift were not signed and had flagged potential conflicts of in- terest between Schembri's role as minis- ter responsible for the Lands Authority and the leasing of offices for his personal constituency work from major developers, who acquired public land for development purposes. But Schembri's decision to use Camill- eri's declaration that he was satisfied by the minister's explanation raised a red flag. The news reports had not been signed – no one knew Camilleri was their author – and none of the articles have since been amended or retracted to re- flect what the journalist declared in his statement. The Shift's editor Caroline Muscat has even confirmed that no retraction or amendment has been requested by the minister. Who approached who? MaltaToday asked the minister wheth- er it was he who approached Camilleri to make the declaration, or whether it was the journalist who offered to do so. This news- paper also asked when the declaration was made and why the minister did not insist that the news reports on The Shift – some of which were published more than a year ago – be amended to reflect Camilleri's ap- parent change of heart. Schembri was also asked whether he paid Camilleri to make the declaration. This newspaper received no replies to the above questions. Instead, the minister not- ed that the questions were similar to those that were being asked by Jason Azzopardi in his appeal. He also suggested that Azz- opardi had handed MaltaToday a copy of the appeal before Schembri was formally notified. This newspaper did report on Azzopar- di's appeal on Friday but will not reveal its sources. A controversial past MaltaToday also asked Camilleri wheth- er it was him or the minister who made the first move and why none of the stories that he penned for The Shift were amended to reflect the new state of affairs. This news- paper also asked whether any money ex- changed hands. Camilleri's response was a one-liner, reflecting animosity towards Jason Azzopardi: "I agree with your boss Salvu Balzan that Jason is a big liar." Camilleri has a controversial past as a journalist. When still at Times of Malta, his name cropped up in court testimony as the person who had tipped off Yorgen Fenech of his impending arrest in relation to the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder. Camilleri was dismissed by the newspaper following the incident. He also lost two li- bel cases against MaltaToday and Illum in relation to articles that reported the tip- off. No amendment to articles requested Meanwhile, when contacted for this re- port, Caroline Muscat, founder and editor of The Shift, said that no factual errors have been shown to exist in the portal's stories and none have been amended. "No retraction or amendment has even been requested. We always publish on the basis of facts as they are known and made known to us," she said. "When and if factual errors are pointed out, this will inform our reporting going forward. If ap- propriate, published work may be added to in order to give the story proper context. I emphasise that no errors have been made known to us in this case." Asked whether as editor, she was aware or endorsed Camilleri's statement absolv- ing the minister, Muscat said the journalist is not an employee of The Shift but a free- lance writer, who contributes to the news portal. "As such, he is not obliged to consult with me or inform me about who he is meeting or what he is working on. The articles he submits are evaluated for publication on a case-by-case basis following verification of facts. I am not aware of what he said to the magistrate and whether this 'absolved the minister of any alleged wrongdoing'. As far as I know, the record of such matters is confidential and as such only Mr Camilleri knows what he said. Consequently, I am unable to endorse or reject what he said or, obviously, comment on whether it 'ab- solves' the minister concerned." CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "ARUC is in the process of up- dating its Directives to permit the distribution of cannabis res- in (hash) and similar processed products, such as rosin, through licensed CHRAs. However, it is imperative to highlight that only solvent-free, non-chemi- cal extraction processes will be authorised. The use of solvents and/or chemical agents for the production of cannabis deriva- tives remains strictly prohibited. Additionally, the conversion of cannabis into oils and tinctures will not be permitted under these amendments," he said in reply to questions from this newspaper. Cannabis association members are allowed to buy seven grams of cannabis flower a day, with a monthly limit of 50g. Vella ex- plained that, given the increased potency of cannabis resin and similar products compared to dried cannabis flowers, a stand- ardised equivalency will be intro- duced to regulate access. In accordance with scientific assessments, each gram of pro- cessed resin or rosin will be con- sidered equivalent to 3g of dried flower. "Therefore, registered members of CHRAs will be permitted to obtain a maximum of 2g of can- nabis resin or rosin per day, as this amount remains within the 7g daily limit," Vella explained. The ARUC boss said the regula- tory amendment seeks to provide individuals with a safe, controlled, and legally regulated alternative, thereby advancing the harm re- duction objectives that underpin the regulatory framework. "By facilitating access to quali- ty-tested products within a strict- ly monitored environment, this measure aims to mitigate the risks associated with unregulated market transactions, in line with the objectives and principles of the Cannabis Reform," he said. The production of cannabis res- in and rosin will be strictly con- fined to material derived from cannabis plants cultivated by CHRAs in full compliance with applicable regulatory require- ments. "CHRAs will be mandated to maintain meticulous records de- tailing the cultivation process, plant yields, and the subsequent conversion of dried cannabis flow- er into processed forms. These requirements will be rigorously monitored to ensure full tracea- bility and adherence to the estab- lished legal framework," he said. Rosin and resin: what are they? It can be difficult for newcom- ers to differentiate between rosin and resin, and it doesn't help that the names are so similar. When it comes down to it, the main dif- ference between rosin and resin lies in the extraction and curing processes used to create each cannabis concentrate. Both concentrates originate from cannabis plants, but that is the only commonality they share. Rosin is a solvent-free cannabis extract made by pressing canna- bis flower or hash with heat and pressure. This creates a sticky, golden substance rich in cannabi- noids. It is usually dabbed, vaped, smoked, or infused into edibles. Traditional hash resin is com- pressed cannabis trichomes. Trichomes are small, dome-like glands that coat the leaves and buds of mature cannabis plants; they contain the psychoactive compounds sought by canna- bis users, like THC and CBD. They are resinous and oily but also have a glass or crystal-like appearance. Resin is commonly dabbed, vaped, or smoked 'No retraction or amendment has even been requested' Ivan Camilleri Each gram of processed resin or rosin will be considered equivalent to 3g of dried flower Cannabis rosin