The chronicles of a Maltese consumer: Five years on

As it has now been five years, I take a moment to reflect on the past, and share my hopes for the next five: Yes to care, no to stigma! 

Back when I was a young adult, I felt timid and curious, at times strong and fearless, and at other times full of doubt and insecurities. This is potentially the biggest developmental stage after birth. It is also a time when new relationships are formed and new social, work and entertainment related practices are learned. That is why having access to non-judgmental information on activities with a margin of risk such as sex and drugs, is vital to increase resilience and prevent unnecessary harm.

Back in 2006, I was too navigating a new world in between tertiary education, work, relationships and pleasure. Travelling to Amsterdam after successfully finishing my first degree, I was excited to finally access ‘legal’ cannabis!

After a few experiences with the local Hash imported from Libya or Morocco, the distinctive original taste of the white widow strain blew me away. The laughter, the munchies, the newfound friendships, the music, and the long walks in Vondel Park were all glorious adventures which distinctively re-shaped my understanding and relationship with cannabis.

The bud-tender (person dispensing cannabis) at the coffee shop had two unique tools: Mindful consumption and harm reduction. Without making us feel awkward or afraid, we were provided with leaflets focused on how to choose the appropriate type of strain, how to reduce risks associated with negative experiences, and other health and safety measures directly related to the effects, duration, and comedown of cannabis.  

Fast forward to 2026, and here I am entering a Cannabis Harm Reduction Association (CHRA) in Malta. I am greeted one of Malta’s very own bud-tenders. He explained the law, the association rules, the present menu and different thc percentages. I register, sign my papers, and off I go back home with a sealed package of fragrant Lemon Mandarin. Cultivated in Malta, and with a seal of laboratory testing approved by the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC), the package includes a number of health warnings, and a THC-potency colour coded table to help monitor effects.

All this information was significant to help guide my consumption levels, and switch from the mentality of being a ‘drug abuser’ to one celebrating me as a ‘mindful consumer’. Mindful consumption and pleasure maximisation are evolving concepts developed for cannabis, and spearheaded by Canadian criminal justice professor Daniel Bear. The two concepts expand further the principles of harm reduction and apply them to more specific needs related to cannabis trends, practices, and culture.

That is why independent research focused on public health, social justice and environmental sustainability is pivotal to ensure policy makers remain focused on addressing drug use in society with updated evidence-based tools and in full respect for human rights. The decriminalisation of cannabis supply and possession aim to prevent high risk cannabis use, such as over consumption pushed by commercialisation, and other ill-practices such as mixing tobacco. Furthermore, decriminalisation is an important restorative tool to address stigma through non-judgmental language, policies and educational tools.

As we are now looking at the next five years of cannabis reform in Malta, I hope there will be increased opportunities for dialogue involving people who consume and cultivate cannabis. Most significantly, I look forward for people who consume cannabis in Malta to recognise their new found identity as consumers, as opposed to the previous derogatory labels of dazed stoners.