Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535753
THE twisted logic that the oppo- sition have tried to impose on the people of Gharghur is nothing short of breathtaking. Let's start with the law – it's very clear. The Local Government Act states that "The Mayor or Deputy May- or shall cease to hold their office upon a vote of no confidence de- livered by a majority of the Coun- cillors in office." When you turn down all of the noise and shouting by the oppo- sition (and there has been a lot), and ask what really happened, it was precisely this. A majority of the Councillors in office voted that they no longer held confi- dence in the Mayor. I am not going to go into the reasons why they lost confidence in the May- or, and I'm sure readers will be able to figure out for themselves what happened. Instead, the questions that come to my mind at least are the following: If the opposition disagrees with a law that they themselves wrote when they were in government, why are they so upset about it now? Which part of the law do they disagree with, and how would they propose to amend it? What happened is entirely pro- vided for in the law, and when we ask ourselves what really happened - after all is said and done, it was simply that – the sitting PN Mayor lost a vote of no confidence. In any system of governance, especially one where there are specific and agreed pro- visions at law, to deny such pro- visions is to deny good govern- ance. Throwing these provisions out when they are inconvenient would be a betrayal of democra- cy, and yet Bernard Grech and the PN leadership are only too willing to do so. Which brings us to the second set of questions. Why on earth would the oppo- sition leadership choose to de- liberately draw attention to what essentially is a problem of their own making? I can understand that they're not happy with the outcome, but to throw their toys out of the pram with protests and amateur gimmicks stinks of des- peration. And most incredibly of all, I have to ask, how messed up do you have to be to blame this all on the Prime Minister? Twist- ed thinking, yes, but the opposi- tion wants you to think that the Prime Minister took time out of running the country to some- how destabilise Gharghur Local Council – all this using members of the opposition! The Nationalist Party is still resisting the basic principles of democracy. They elected coun- cillors to speak on their behalf and represent their interests. If enough Councillors felt that, for valid reasons, they had lost their confidence in the Mayor, it was their moral and civic duty to act immediately. This is what they have done. Now, the leader of the opposi- tion is welcome to second guess Għargħur's Councillors as much as he wants, but to attack their vote is the real attack on democ- racy. It takes true mental gym- nastics though to blame it on the Prime Minister. WHEN Malta boldly embarked on cannabis reform in 2021, it was hailed as a progressive step towards a just, evidence-based, and harm-reducing policy. The reform marked a shift from a punitive approach to a more human-centred policy. Since its establishment, the Authority on the Responsible Use of Canna- bis has grown and spearheaded reforms to ensure that our legal framework continues to protect communities, enforce responsi- bility, and remain aligned with public health goals. Recently, parliament passed a number of legislative amend- ments, aimed at strengthening Malta's bold vision on cannabis reform. A crucial objective of these reforms is to strengthen and clarify the legal framework governing cannabis-related sub- stances, in line with evolving scientific evidence and European legal developments. In particular, the refined definition of canna- bis within the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance aims to better distin- guish between non-psychoac- tive, natural compounds such as CBD and synthetic or semi-syn- thetic cannabinoids, some of which have raised serious pub- lic health concerns, including reports of emergency hospital admissions. By explicitly ad- dressing these substances within the legal framework, Malta con- tinues to adopt a precautionary and health-focused approach, while aligning its legislation with important rulings such as the Kannavape judgment and the decision of the Conseil d'État in France. This ensures our laws remain responsive, clear, and effective in protecting both con- sumers and the integrity of the reform. Another key amendment being introduced addresses a reality too often experienced but until now, insufficiently regulated— the nuisance caused by cannabis emissions in private residences, particularly in shared buildings and condominiums. This is not a novel concept, but a reflection of a long-established principle in Maltese and Europe- an law—the right to enjoy one's private property is not absolute. It is a qualified right that must coexist with the rights of others to live in peace and dignity. We cannot turn a blind eye to res- idents who are being adversely affected by cannabis emissions, otherwise that would be politi- cally irresponsible and socially unjust. While some may argue that enforcement in such matters is complex, we must be clear— without goodwill and a function- ing framework, anything can be labelled unenforceable. Leader- ship means not shying away from challenges, but rather addressing them head-on with measured, workable solutions. In this con- text, the introduction of clear responsibilities—such as en- couraging the use of air filtration systems—provides a pragmatic and proportionate solution that carefully balances the rights of individuals to make use of their private space with the legitimate expectations of third parties to enjoy their home environment in peace. This is how effective governance works. It responds to people's lived experiences, re- inforcing legal clarity, and build- ing a system where rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. Licensed Cannabis Harm Re- duction Associations remain a cornerstone of Malta's canna- bis reform, offering a regulated, community-based alternative to the illicit market. The amend- ments reinforce this aspect of the reform and ensure that the legal framework continues to safeguard minors and uphold public confidence. Shifting the jurisdiction for serious offences to the Court of Magistrates re- flects a proactive, not punitive, approach—one that anticipates potential legal gaps in the cur- rent framework and seeks to up- hold constitutional safeguards. These measures affirm the gov- ernment's ongoing commitment to a responsible, balanced, and health-driven reform. Taken together, these reforms show a government willing to listen, learn, and lead. Malta's cannabis reform was never about liberalism for its own sake; it was about justice, dignity, and public health. The proposed amend- ments ensure that this vision re- mains intact, while also adapting to the realities on the ground. Re- sponsible reform demands both courage and correction, and that is exactly what this legislative package delivers. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 MAY 2025 6 OPINION Joey Reno Vella is a lawyer and executive chairperson of the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis Strengthening Malta's cannabis reform through responsible regulation Joey Reno Vella Alison Zerafa Civelli is Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli Bulldozing democracy Why on earth would the opposition leadership choose to deliberately draw attention to what essentially is a problem of their own making?