Mums voice concern over plans to decriminalise cannabis

Bolstered by the social conservatism of Nationalist Party leaders in power, it was the liberal lobby that had to make its voice heard loud and clear in the streets and in public fora. But ever since the introduction of divorce, it’s been Labour’s progressive agenda on the ascendant: civil unions, gay adoption, and now decriminalisation of drugs.

Five mothers – Martha Fitz, Suzanne Vella, Christine Rossi, Marisa Gatt and Mariella Catania – have told MaltaToday they are concerned about plans by the justice ministry to steam ahead with proposals for decriminalisation, particularly with the change in discourse in the way drug abuse is being treated.

“We have no problem with depenalisation – what we contest is the fact that abuse no longer is considered a crime. So we agree with the removal of the punishment and to offer assistance, but drug abuse must still remain a crime in the eyes of adolescents and youths,” Vella, speaking for her concerned friends, told MaltaToday.

Under the proposed law as presented in a White Paper, prosecuted drug users will no longer face a court hearing but instead appear in front of a justice commissioner who can either give them a warning, or refer them to a social board of experts.

Repeat offenders will automatically be referred to the social board. 

However, cannabis users will be exempted from appearing in front of the social board unless the commissioner deems it necessary, and cannabis cultivation for personal use will also no longer be punishable by imprisonment.

“We feel that with this law, society is giving the message to our children – ‘It’s ok, this drug [cannabis] is not as dangerous as the others’,” Vella said. “We believe, as mothers, that this will not be in the best interests of our children.

“Extensive research shows that when youth are given the impression that a drug is not so dangerous, then their use of that drug will increase and not decrease,” Vella said, quoting a public lecture delivered by William Crano, a psychology professor who has worked as an advisor to the United Nations, the White House and the European Union.

“Sedqa and Caritas, two main agencies who accompany drug users on their battle against addiction on a daily basis have spoken clearly about cannabis being a mind-altering drug which is dangerous to people’s health,” Vella said. “According to Sedqa, there is scientific evidence that the cannabis available on the market at present is of a stronger and more dangerous type than that available in the past.”

Vella also referred to Labour’s manifesto, in which it pledged more education as a means of making people more aware of the negative effects of drug use. “However, we feel that this policy is indeed contradictory with such an aim. It is also not in line with what we, as parents, and as educators are trying to teach our children. By doing away with the legal deterrent, we are making it easier for young people to try out this illegal drug. Once young people start out on cannabis, they are exposed to those same circles which provide other illegal drugs, often leading to their subsequent use.”

Vella says that if punishment is to be given, it is because of the negative way society would have been affected. “And if reformation is offered, it is to empower the person to live in more harmony with the persons surrounding him. We are pleased to note that this law is proposing the reduction of the penalty for drug users who would have assisted persons who have overdosed by calling for medical help.”

The mothers also disagree that only second time drug offenders will be automatically referred to a social board and that some first-time offenders will have a missed opportunity to reform themselves, having been let off with just a warning.

“People take drugs to fill up some emptiness inside them,” Vella said. “They all have some sort of problem and I therefore believe that all of them need help.”

The government is currently conducting a public consultation process concerning this White Paper. Consultation will end on 15 September and a draft law should be tabled in parliament before the end of the year.