Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534095
Andrew Bonello maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 APRIL 2025 6 OPINION Green pastures: The voice of cannabis growers in Malta AFTER almost four years since the intro- duction of the partial decriminalisation of cannabis, including the possibility to cul- tivate up to four plants per household, the voice of cannabis consumers and cultiva- tors continue to be somewhat inexistent. Very sadly, it seems government-fund- ed entities, and other stakeholders with a direct commercial and financial inter- est from cannabis sales are leveraging political pressure to demonise home cultivation and tarnish the reputation of home growers. These stigmatised attacks should not find space within a decriminalised framework, let alone repeated by gov- ernment officials. Home cultivation provides people who use cannabis with added tools to take an informed deci- sion about their cannabis use, including THC levels. Such as our grandfathers cultivated grapevines to produce a psychoactive drink called 'wine' and later took pride of showcasing and sharing their 'home- made wine', adults cultivating cannabis today aspire to be able to cultivate their plant in peace, and with the possibility to share 'home-grown cannabis' with family and friends. As things stand, it is illegal to keep more than four plants per household. What about the cannabis produced? Home cultivators are being obliged to throw away anything above 50 grams, or else face criminal consequences. It sounds ridiculous, environmentally un- sustainable and discriminatory. In fact, it is. We agree. ReLeaf Malta reached out to a number of home growers to better understand the effects of legal changes enacted in 2021. Inspired by the 2022 Global Can- nabis Cultivation Consortium Study led by renowned researchers on cannabis Tom Decorte and Gary Potter, ReLeaf Malta asked a number of local growers to reflect and comment on their experi- ences with cultivating cannabis under a decriminalised system. These home growers agreed that the legal changes were a much-needed tool to prevent exposure to police harass- ment and criminal consequences for the sole act of cultivating a plant. They highlighted that home growing provid- ed increased opportunity to learn about the biology of the cannabis plant, and to take an informed decision on their con- sumption trends and practices. Overall, they also recognised that home culti- vation is economically advantageous, especially in view that cannabis prices remain relatively high when accessed from a Cannabis Harm Reduction As- sociation (for someone consuming 30 grams per month costs hover between 250 and 400 euro, not to mention trav- elling costs to pick up just 7 grams of cannabis per day). Reflecting on recent media statements by government officials implying home cultivation is causing nuisance, expos- ing young children to cannabis use, and an increase in trafficking canna- bis, home growers expressed regret at the resurgence of stigmatised language. They also questioned who would ben- efit should home growing become po- liced and their right to privacy abused? Mario, 40 years old "We are not criminals; we are just try- ing to cultivate cannabis in peace for our own use. We are not causing any risks for so- ciety. In reality home growing sparked a new interest to learn about the cul- tivation cycle of cannabis plants and the beauty of observing nature bloom, not just cannabis. Cultivating canna- bis is a therapeutic tool and helps fight off stress. I wish we could keep more grams at home and to be able to grow more plants. I wish to take my level of expertise further by experimenting with mother-plants and cross breeding. It is very difficult to do that with just four plants. This is precluding us home growers from reaching our full poten- tial as cannabis consumers and grow- ers." Sarah, 28 years old "I am eternally grateful to the govern- ment for allowing us to possess plants at home. However, I feel frustrated that I am not allowed to invite friends over and share my produce. I am also very dis- appointed that it seems we are being demonised by the same people who are paid by our taxes and who should be protecting us from criminal conse- quences or other profit driven stake- holders. If I could speak with the Prime Minister I would invite him to listen to our needs, and recognise our contribu- tion to combat the mafias involved in the illegal importation of cannabis." Francesco, 55 years old "As a person who used to smoke can- nabis with tobacco, in a continuous loop and with a direct detrimental effect to my health, I am proud to have been consuming my own cannabis without tobacco for the past three years. I now have clear information on strain selec- tion, THC levels and terpene profiling, all together directly contributing to the entourage effect. I hope the law does not change, or get reviewed to remove our right to privacy! Responsibility is possi- ble, but the government needs to start trusting us as human beings, and not let others keep on painting us as criminals, or irresponsible drugati (drug addicts)." Andrew Bonello is president of ReLeaf Malta, an advocacy group for cannabis users Home cultivation provides people who use cannabis with added tools to take an informed decision about their cannabis use