Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/887355
maltatoday SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 2 News YANNICK PACE THE pro-cannabis lobby group Re- Leaf has launched a manifesto out- lining its vision for the legalisation of cannabis in Malta, which it says should allow the possession of up to 30g of cannabis for personal use Despite the government having some €5.5 million "in drug-related expenditure" in 2012, ReLeaf said prohibition has had little impact on supply and demand, with statistics on the availability and use of drugs remaining "nearly unchanged". "Maltese citizens are forced to buy [cannabis] from shady deal- ers who push them onto harder drugs," insisted Johnathan Cilia from ReLeaf, who addressed yes- terday's manifesto launch. Speaking to MaltaToday, Cilia said that statistics on cannabis seizures by the police over the last decade showed the black market was flooded with cannabis. He pointed to Friday's haul of 550kg of cannabis by the police as an ex- ample. "It was all going to be sold. It would have made some people very rich," he said. "But who knows how pure it was, who knows what was in it?" In addition to decriminalising us- ers, ReLeaf's position in favour of legalisation also considers issues of public health, with the group push- ing for investment in educational campaigns and ensuring safe prod- ucts on the market. What is ReLeaf proposing? The manifesto proposes the legal- isation of cannabis allowing users aged 21 or over to carry up to 30g of cannabis in public. Moreover, it would be permitted to grow up to six plants per person, provided that this is done in a locked space and not in public view. In cases where more than one user lives in a sin- gle residence, the number of plants that can be grown on a single prop- erty cannot be more than 12. It will not be permissible to sell cannabis grown at home. Individuals would also be able to purchase up to 5g of cannabis from licensed vendors, who would be al- lowed to sell products including flower and resin forms, essential oils, cannabis infused edible products, creams, oils and lotions and seeds. Cannabis social clubs If the group's proposals were to be accepted, those unable to grow their own would be able to waive their right to do so to a social club that would grow on their behalf. Cannabis social clubs are com- mon in Spain, especially Barcelona, where their number has skyrock- eted in recent years as restrictions have been eased. A social club would be formed by two or more people. In addition to a smoking club licence, it is also being proposed for a government run regulatory department to issue five other types of licences for: individuals to sell cannabis at a specific ven- ue, grow the plant for industrial level, grow the plant in a small operation, transport cannabis be- tween licensed establishments, as well as a licence for carrying out research and development on the plant. Regulations on commercial outlets Cannabis-related businesses would only be allowed to operate in commercial zones, at a minimum of 100m from schools or community centres and would require both a business licence and commercial cannabis licence. Cannabis-serving establishments would be prohibited from serving alcohol. Recreational cannabis stores or dispensaries would have restric- tions placed on how and where they can advertise for it not to be accessible to minors. Safety and the black market To rein in the black market, it is being recommended that anyone caught selling cannabis to minors, or without a licence, be harshly punished. The manifesto also urg- es authorities to treat cannabis like alcohol and cigarettes, with clear rules on how and where it can be consumed in public. Driving under the influence would be prohibited. It is also recommending that those serving prison terms over cannabis related charges be given amnesty as long as they have not committed any violent crimes. In order to educate the public about the benefits and dangers of Cannabis law reform Lobby group proposes legalisation up to 30g of cannabis for personal MATTHEW AGIUS THE University of Malta branch of the Eu- ropean Law Student Association (ELSA) has argued for a "sharing economy" on cannabis in the run-up to legal reforms. In a research paper arguing in favour of giving serious consideration to legalising cannabis, ELSA argued that the govern- ment can set up a "sharing economy" un- til the legal market is established for the "limbo period" in between the passing of legislation and its implementation, based on California's legalisation of recreational marijuana. This would allow for recreational can- nabis users to share the drug with oth- ers of legal age as long as no transfer of money or goods is exchanged for it. Once the legal market is established, the "shar- ing economy" policy could be dropped as users would have a safe supply of cannabis from dispensaries, argues the association. The public would benefit from an edu- cation campaign about "the true medical effects of the substance, both with regard to benefits and to any and all possible side effects," as well as the proper method of use, a method adopted by the California Department of Public Health. "What should be emphasised in these ed- ucational campaigns are the risks and safe- ties of using the substance, especially rela- tive to the age of the users." Prolonged use under the age of 20 has been linked with cognitive impairment, the study warns, and legalising cannabis without also edu- cating the public "runs the risk of appear- ing as though the substance can be used openly with no repercussions." Marijuana sold legally must be tested for purity, ELSA said. Post legalisation, per- sons of legal age should be able to bring any cannabis in their possession up to the legal amount allowed for personal use by the legislation, and have it tested for pu- rity. If the marijuana is found to be impure at a potentially toxic level, it would consti- tute a reason for a compulsory buy-back by the State so as to remove the strain from circulation, reads the research paper. This service would then be phased out with the introduction of the legal market as dispensaries would have to abide by in- dustry standards. Among the association's bolder propos- als is the suggestion that the government should "look at and consider the pos- sibility of subletting unused fields to the marijuana industry, should marijuana be legalised." The proposed legislation would also al- low for those users who had been found guilty of marijuana-related charges, not considered to be offences under the new law, to have the convictions expunged from their police conduct certificate. "While it is accepted that there shouldn't be retroactivity in criminal law, imple- menting such a policy would greatly im- prove the chances of those persons who were previously incarcerated to re-estab- lish themselves as productive members of society," by re-entering the labour market, said ELSA. magius@mediatoday.com.mt Law students: treat cannabis as public health issue, not criminal one GREEN party Alternattiva Demokratika has expressed sup- port for the regulation of cannabis, as it attended the launch of the "Releaf" campaign. In a statement released yesterday AD pointed out that in its electoral campaign, it had proposed the le- galisation of personal cannabis use and that the users of hard drugs be treated as persons with medical and social problems, "not as crimi- nals". AD representative James Gabar- retta said that the issue of danger- ous drugs, particularly synthetic ones, "must be addressed at a social and medical level". "These drugs are causing great damage. The effects of cannabis, on the other hand, are known and can be controlled by regulations protecting those who decide to consume it," he said. Gabarretta pointed to a need for stronger social work structures to help people with drug dependen- cies. "Despite important improve- ments in Maltese law, the use of AD calls for reclassification ReLeaf is calling on the government to treat the subject in a sensible manner, while treating users as normal citizens ReLeaf is proposing users be allowed to carry up to 30g of cannabis and grow up to six plants for their personal use