It’s about ‘harm-reduction’, not ‘recreational cannabis’

The reform envisages licensed dispensaries: though it remains to be seen whether these will take the form of the traditional pharmacy, or some other concept
Malta Today (Malta)
February 25, 2018

malta reform nowMalta is poised to become a centre for the production of medical marijuana – while also relaxing its cannabis legislation further – after decades of a no-compromise, ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards all drugs. Some see this as a direct U-turn, that will turn the country into a drug traffickers’ paradise. But Julia Farrugia-Portelli, the parliamentary secretary entrusted with the reform, argues that the whole point is to eliminate trafficking, and maximise the user’s safety. "What is happening today is a continuation from the previous legislature. Our argument was: if someone is caught with a joint, it shouldn’t lead to a situation where that person’s criminal record is tarnished. That reform was affected in the last legislature; now, we are taking it a step further."