Cannabis use in Malta seen low
An EU report published today shows Malta having among the lowest rates of marijuana and cannabis use in Europe.
The report, by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, shows Romania, Malta, Greece and Bulgaria among those with the lowest usage
The Dutch too were among the lowest users, despite the Netherlands' well-known tolerance of the drug, according to the today.
A higher percentage of adults in Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and France took cannabis last year, the EU agency said, with the highest being Italy at 14.6 percent. Usage in Italy used to be among the lowest at below 10 percent a decade ago.
Cannabis use in Europe rose steadily during the 1990s and earlier this decade, but has recently stabilised and is beginning to show signs of decline, the agency said, owing to several national campaigns to curb and treat use of the drug.
"Data from general population and school surveys point to a stabilising or even decreasing situation," the report said.
The policy on soft drugs in the Netherlands, one of the most liberal in Europe, allows for the sale of marijuana at "coffee shops", which the Dutch have allowed to operate for decades, and possession of less than 5 grams (0.18 oz).
Nearly a fifth of the 228 coffee shops in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, a popular draw for tourists, are scheduled to be shut down because they are too close to schools.
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Johnathan Cilia
Nov 9th 2011, 01:39
Malta, lowest rate of marijuana use in Europe? They don't know many Maltese then...
Paul Smith
Nov 5th 2009, 20:47
Frank Bartolo
100% agree with you. Problem is government dont run Malta - the church does and they peddle the most dangerous drug of all - Religion and they have got many hundreds of thousands addicted too it.
adrian aquilina
Nov 5th 2009, 18:35
the biggest drug problem in malta is alchohol..one of the top 3 worst drugs and legal..
Frank Bartolo
Nov 5th 2009, 17:59
cannabis use in Malta SEEN low. in reality many people use it on a daily basis or once in a while but still keep it discrete even among other users. if only the Maltese gov knows the enormous harm they are doing to our youth thanks to prohibition im sure they'll adopt the same measures as the Netherlands or the 13 states in america that have it legal for medical use and decriminalized for personal use. keeping it illegal means its totally out of control and the local mafia will keep getting rich day by day. The law in malta needs to be updated on this issue and adopt measures that clearly distinguish between hard and soft drugs.
Peter Korsten
Nov 5th 2009, 17:13
Those who think that the Dutch policy of condoning (it's officially still illegal) soft drugs use and possession of small amounts for personal use is leading to fewer problems: sorry, no.
For one thing, thousands of French, Belgians and Germans go to the border towns to stock up on marijuana, and causing large problems there. Some Dutch border towns have taken the step of closing all the so-called "coffeeshops".
Also, because production and possession of more than 500 grams is still illegal, it's become very big business for criminals, stealing of electricity to grow the plants in the attics of homes in residential areas, the lot. Or a man that got shot in the knees because he cleared out the plants that his nephew had started growing in his barn; the criminal boss was displeased with that.
Also, the percentage of THC in marijuana is so large these days, that it is not really a soft drug any longer.
To put it bluntly, the Dutch drugs policy is not working, and rather than legalising it completely, it appears that it will get more and more restrictive.
C.Borg
Nov 5th 2009, 16:45
...while I may have been mistaken with regard the Cocaine problem.... one can confirm the big problem we have with the deadly Heroin, of which many people are dying here in Malta every year.
The full report can be seen on :
http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_93236_EN_EMCDDA_AR2009_EN.pdf
....and in page 75 one can notice the problem of Heroin in Malta.
We seriously need to change the laws in Malta and distinguish between hard and soft drugs and take the neccessary action. We must concentrate on the real threat!!! We are in 2009 for the good sake!!! Malta wake up!!!!
A. Saliba
Nov 5th 2009, 16:18
I blame the financial crisis.
M Borg
Nov 5th 2009, 16:09
HA !!! Makes so much sense..... How do we explain the recent haul of 450kg of ganja ? (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090909/local/police-make-major-cannabis-haul)
450kg = approximately 2250000 joints.
Its like everything else, they should make a report on the biggest BS.
C.Borg
Nov 5th 2009, 15:39
This is so obvious.... Cannabis usage is low in Malta because people are doing the harder drugs (Cocaine & Heroin) since they are treated the same as the least harmful 'drug' in the world.....and least harmful meaning less harmful then Alchohol and Cigarettes!!!! Drug dealers prefer to push the hard drugs which have a higher income return and can be messed up with easily.
Paul Smith
Nov 5th 2009, 15:37
I simply don't believe cannabis use in Malta is low, just more hidden and people are more discrete.
The Maltese laws on Cannabis use and or cultivation of a few Plants for ones own use are draconian. Last week a member of the UK drugs advisory Board Dr. Nutt whom is a PHD scientist, confirmed what millions have known for decades - that cigarettes and alcohol are fare more dangerous than cannabis - now before someone says that people smoke cannabis with Tobacco, you dont have to.
Spain and the netherlands have to most liberal freedom bearing laws in the whole of the EU on cannabis. I know people whom use Cannabis for MS as it is the best drug there is for pain relief, all pescribed medicine does long term organ damage - but they are turned into criminals in the UK because of this, although thankfully most 1st 2nd and 3rd offences are relativley light with no imprisonment. In fact most police officers will turn a blind eye as there are more serious things to attend too.
smifsud
Nov 5th 2009, 15:07
just to show you that when you legalize the so called "soft drugs" people tend not to abuse it ....thats why the Netherlands are low users ....alcohol not included in this study ~!!! so legalize cannabis .