‘Enough persecution’ – ADPD on board with the cannabis reform

Persecution against someone who makes use of cannabis should stop taking place, and someone who uses the drug should not be labelled as a criminal, ADPD said in reaction to the Government’s White Paper on cannabis-related law reform.

The statement comes in the final days of a consultation period regarding a proposed reform on the laws of cannabis use in Malta.

“Research on drugs and even cannabis is public and has been going on for some time now. In actual fact, this research says that policies on drug use should be separate from the criminal justice system, and based on a social and medical model,” ADPD Secretary General Ralph Cassar said.

Cassar remarked that scare tactics and heavy-handed law enforcement “are actually counter-productive” and that the war against drug users “has totally failed and ruined people’s lives.”

“Ultimately, it doesn’t make sense to keep wasting the country’s resources on users of cannabis, which has fewer effects than alcohol use, and even than regular cigarette smoking,” he said.

In a document dictating their stance, ADPD said that “people should be aware of the various effects of the drug” and should be given the help needed when choosing to turn to it. However, “to criminalize people because they make use of drugs leads nowhere.”

The party also called for drug classification according to the effects on the physical and mental wellbeing, as well as on the social and psychological consequences.

“The government has to adopt a policy that encourages those who are addicted to drugs to seek help, and be encouraged to change their behaviour,” they said.

“It is time for the use of cannabis to be accepted by law. Cannabis use is a reality, we should not exaggerate its effects on society. On the other hand, however, its use should be regulated.”

The party also said that cannabis social clubs should also be considered so that those who can’t grow at home can obtain it from there.

“The decriminalization of drugs, and the regulation of a legal cannabis market, means changing the mindset. It means that not every problem or perception of a problem be addressed by dragging people to court, jail or sending Police to monitor them,” ADPD said.