It is way too risky to legalise cannabis

As Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing I would like to express my concern on this matter. I would like to declare that I will not subscribe to a social policy that justifies legalising cannabis by citing ‘harm reduction’. From where I stand the negative impact of this substance compared to the ‘benefits’ some might quote in legalising cannabis consumption are unparalleled. Obviously I am not referring to the use of certain components of cannabis for medicinal use – that goes without saying.

Let’s accept the fact that cannabis consumption seems to be on the rise and acknowledged by most experts in the justice, medical and social field as problematic. In my opinion regulating the use of cannabis around a harm-reduction rationale does not solve anything and the dangers of the underground illicit drug trafficking will remain active and lively. Entry into the criminal world of leisure/recreational cannabis users is often the onset of serious criminal careers to the further detriment of the individuals’ concerned and moreover the wider society at large.

I foresee a situation where once the drug becomes more readily available, the whole mystique of using cannabis as a form of etching distinctive identities will die a natural death, and may somewhat lead to a gravitational pull towards the harder drugs. Another issue that is of serious concern is the increased use of synthetic marijuana, which seems to be even more hazardous.

I reiterate that the impact of the use of this substance is not short of upsetting. I’m not going to make the chestnut argument that it is a gateway drug. The impact of cannabis is what it is and it is useless trying to get away from the evidence:

Cannabis use might induce dizziness and loss of rationale behaviour exemplified by being giggly, out of control, having bloodshot eyes and difficulties recalling information. It might alter the state of consciousness and will bring about ‘pleasure’ by manipulating emotions, feelings and perceptions;

Cannabis use might lower the fertility rates;

Cannabis, once it has made its way to the person’s body, has an intoxicating effect;

Cannabis is known to affect short-term memory;

Cannabis use will impact reaction time;

Cannabis use might instigate riskier sexual behaviour due to lack of control (for example having unsafe sex);

Cannabis use might lead to the lessening of concentration on one’s studies or job and in the case of athletes’ will curtail performance;

From where I stand the negative impact of this substance compared to the ‘benefits’ some might quote in legalising cannabis consumption are unparalleled

Cannabis use might increase anxiety and paranoia and there is evidence "that regular cannabis use increases the risk of developing psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia, particularly in adolescents” (Dr Marta di Forti, King’s College London. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44532417). This is further compounded by what Anton Grech, a top psychiatrist and clinical chairperson of the Department of Psychiatry found in his research in the area of schizophrenia;

Cannabis use might impact negatively young people due to the malleability of their brain and potentially instigate memory impairment;

Shifting from decriminalising to the legalisation of cannabis might underwrite an increased popularisation of the substance and proliferate use.

Whilst in a way I can understand the argument that legalising cannabis will partially curtail illicit use and sale, a so-called controlled market will not get the traffickers out of the way. From where I stand I cannot think of a policy and/or strategy that will justify walking this tightrope.

I recommend the following actions:

• commission a study to analyse the impact if such ‘harm-reduction’ legislation were to come in vigore;

•  police corps should get better training in the field of addictions;

• improve youth work training and increase detached youth work services;

• allure more collaboration between the three main agencies operating in our Country in the area of addictions, namely, Caritas Malta, Agency Sedqa and Oasi Foundation;

• work towards a social policy that is based on prevention;

• provide incentives for the development of more leisure activities that will ensure young people will not get caught in a spiral of boredom;

• provide emotional education to children and young people, thus helping them handle situations of pressure and disillusionment;

• increase professional services in the justice system.

The State should not be weakened and intimidated by the threat of this criminal industry. The interests of this criminal industry and the political pressures it forces shouldn’t define our social landscape.

The risks of legalising cannabis for ‘leisure’, ‘harm reduction’, ‘personal use’, call it what you want, however strict and controlled the systems are, is way too risky. Legalising cannabis, in my opinion, is a declaration of failure in our social policy, social welfare agencies, NGOs and Police Force.

Once legalised it will be impossible to retract that position.