Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546572
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWS Labour MP Mariah Meli calls for independent review of Malta's cannabis reform LABOUR MP Mariah Meli has called for an independent, evi- dence-based evaluation of Mal- ta's cannabis legislation, saying concerns raised by residents about the impact of the reform on communities should be heard and addressed. Meli said issues including can- nabis odours and the location of cannabis-related premises close to homes and families needed to be examined in a "balanced man- ner". "I believe the time has come for an independent, evidence-based evaluation of the 2021 responsi- ble cannabis-use reform and its impact on health, young people, safety, and residents," Meli said. She added that the legislation should be revised if evidence showed shortcomings, with the aim of providing greater protec- tion for children, families and communities. Malta became the first Europe- an Union country to introduce a legal framework for adult recrea- tional cannabis in 2021, although the reform stopped short of es- tablishing a conventional com- mercial cannabis market. The Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis Act came into force in December 2021. Under the framework, adults aged 18 and over can possess limited quantities of cannabis and grow up to four plants for personal use. The system also provides for non-profit canna- bis associations, regulated by the Authority for the Respon- sible Use of Cannabis (ARUC), through which registered mem- bers can obtain cannabis. Public consumption remains prohibit- ed. The model was presented as a harm-reduction approach rath- er than unrestricted legalisation, with the government arguing that regulation could provide greater oversight of cannabis use while reducing reliance on the il- licit market. The framework has since un- dergone further changes. In 2025, Parliament approved amend- ments giving ARUC additional powers and tightening aspects of the regulation of cannabis as- sociations, including measures addressing concerns linked to cannabis use and odours. Further regulations governing cannabis associations were is- sued in 2026, underlining that Malta's regulatory framework remains subject to ongoing de- velopment. Meli's call comes amid contin- uing debate over how the coun- try should balance the aims of cannabis reform with concerns about public health, young peo- ple, safety and the effect of can- nabis use on people living near regulated premises. She said any future changes should be guided by evidence, rather than assumptions, and that where shortcomings are identified, the law should be amended to better protect com- munities. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Labour MP Mariah Meli (inset) said an independent and evidence-based review on Malta's cannabis reform should be carried out Planning Authority denies organising petition backing CEO Johann Buttigieg THE Planning Authority (PA) denied initiating or organising a petition circulating among staff calling for Johann Buttigieg to retain his position as the author- ity's CEO. "Any such activity within the authority must cease immedi- ately," its executive chairman said in a message sent to PA staff. "We will not tolerate any form of pressure being exerted on staff." The authority said its executive chairman was neither aware of nor behind the petition, and had not requested that it be circulat- ed. It was also made clear that no member of staff should be ap- proached or pressured to sign it. On Monday, Moviment Graf- fitti raised concerns over em- ployees claims that they were be- ing pressured to sign the petition out of fears that Buttigieg could retaliate against them if they refuse. Dozens of NGOs and organisations have demanded Buttigieg's resignation following the publication of his exchang- es with businessman Yorgen Fenech, which came to light dur- ing Fenech's murder trial and raised further questions over the proximity between public offi- cials and business interests. Buttigieg had been placed back at the helm of the PA by Prime Minister Robert Abela in 2025 to address a significant backlog of planning permits. Buttigieg had stepped down from his role as PA CEO and was awarded a number of lucrative consultan- cies, some of which were given to him by Malta's top develop- ers. The PA went on to assure em- ployees that the decision to sign, decline, or stay out of the mat- ter entirely was theirs alone and would have no bearing whatso- ever on their employment. It concluded by reaffirming its commitment to maintain- ing a professional and respect- ful working environment, while urging staff to remain focused on their responsibilities and the delivery of services to the public. EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt