300 turn up for pro-Cannabis demo

Dr.Kyle Francis Borg

Dec 19th 2011, 11:15

Life is NOT for having fun ? What are you on about ? I for one want to enjoy my life , going to work and doing all the other things that we don't feel like doing is hell and that's why you work hard and play hard .....life is too short to ''NOT have fun" Mr.Xuereb and my advice to you is to live a little ! Cannabis is not a harmful drug and there is no record of it killing anybody while alcohol,cigarettes and other drugs have killed tens of thousands ....even peanuts kill more people a year than cannabis! The problem here in Malta is that everyone is very closed minded especially the ageing population. I really hope that it does get decriminalized after also seeing the medical benefits from the plant ,it helps so many people who are in pain and who are sick get better whilst pills,shots and other medicines didn't even help!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 20th 2011, 08:26

@ Dr Kyle Francis Borg.

Most patients would prefer to be treated by a doctor who does not need to take mind-altering drugs to be able to carry on with his job.

Andrew Marcik

Dec 18th 2011, 22:13

THAT IS RIDICULOUS! So we should have an id card for cigarette smokers and drinkers too, since liver damage from drinking is self inflicted. Lung cancer is as well if you don't count the amount of car exhaust we breathe every day. With all due respect Mr. Borg we got rid of the Nazi's in the 40s and now you want to bring back some of their policies. The whole point of the argument is too allow us to make choices for our selves instead of the Gov't making them for us. Sounds to me you want to lift one regulation only to add another. Pure invasion of privacy to have to disclose such info on an ID card.

Adam Cassano

Dec 18th 2011, 23:54

So are you saying that cancer patients who have smoked or been around smokers should pay for there own treatments? Gay people who contract HIV or AIDS should pay there own treatment? Maybe we should stop pregnant women getting free medical care as hey it was there choice right?

If they smoke cannabis they are still paying taxes and NI so should be allowed treatment like anyone else. If it was legal then we would probably have a better health care system due to the increase in taxes from taxing the sales or cannabis.

I hope in the future you think things over in your head before actually posting something that is just ridiculous.

Andrej Psaila

Dec 19th 2011, 07:57

I would also extend this to people abusing alcohol, cigarettes and those not following a proper diet.... I dont want to pay the treatment of the various diseases, because people do not want to follow a healthy diet and abuse on junk food etc...

I am sure you will agree that everyone needs to pay for his self induced diseases.....

Your argument is flawed

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 20th 2011, 09:25

@ Adam Cassano (18 Dec at 23:54)

What Malta's society is saying, through its two most numerous political parties representing between them practically the whole nation, is that laws are to be obeyed and enforced as they are at a particular moment.

David Caruana

Dec 18th 2011, 19:43

The police do not need and will not hound anyone. It's not like this was a bus reform protest were you wouldn't expect any kind of rebellion - this was a demonstration about a hot potato and I don't have difficulty in believing their statement that they took the pictures just in case anyone would cause trouble. No one did anything illegal at the protest and there was full cooperation between the police officers and the organisers.

No one needs to worry about any consequences. Expressing a political belief carries no consequences.

Darby Allen

Dec 18th 2011, 14:20

300 of 410,000 people want cannabis decriminalized; hardly earth-shaking!

Michael Calleja

Dec 18th 2011, 15:59

@Darby Allen

Its irrelevant if only 300 people of 410,000 showed up. Cannabis has been stigmatised for years. While it has its positive and negative affects the point of the march was for decriminalisation and to avoid having people sent to jail for something which is blown out of proportion in the context of what is legal and what isn't. It is very clear that Malta's judicial system is on the road to no where if no reform takes place. If we do not make a stand for what we believe in then we would have remained in the days of Mintoff! I would love to see what peoples reactions would be if the government were to make alcohol and tobacco illegal. These two have zero benefits and contribute greatly towards deaths on a regular basis! And of course our taxes are used in the process also to fund the expenses incurred by the consumption of them. Ultimately, it is our own choice to make the right decisions in life. Can you please clarify to me as to why tobacco and alcohol are not illegal yet cannabis is? If we want to move forward then we need to make wise decisions and start to be a bit more open minded. I can guarantee you that the next march shall yield more people participating and it will keep growing until reform takes place.

Ramon Casha

Dec 18th 2011, 16:07

@Darby Allen: I've been to protests / demonstrations where there were more press than protesters. For some reason in Malta few people turn out for similar demonstrations. The place and time when the Maltese do turn out in great numbers is in an election, when turnouts of over 90% are de rigeur. I think that if 300 turned out for this event, at least 3000 will tie their vote to decriminalisation, and 3000 is greater than the margin of victory for the winning party. It's enough to swing an election or elect a third party to parliament.

Matthew Micallef

Dec 18th 2011, 11:47

Ok,
1st, intravenous drug use? You do know it's not ideal to inject cannabis right?
2nd, dangerous drugs? Kindly note the hypocrisy when it was yourself that indicated in your 'Gateway Theory' that cannabis use occurs at 'an earlier stage' than heroin or cocaine use.
3rd, Pointing out that cannabis is safer than heroin? So you recognize that there is a different classification both socially and legally that cannabis and heroin should be treated at two completely different levels?
4th Don't repeat yourself please, but note that even the loacls cannot undestand why their government is taking such a stance on drugs, especially when a large part of the population are opposed to this decision. Another case of fair democracy in th EU.

Stop trying to compare cannabis to any other drug, because you can't.
"It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics . . . dope and all that crap. It's a thousand times better than whiskey - it's an assistant - a friend."
- Louis Armstrong quote on Marijuana

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 11:56

if you care to read again I told you about the reason why the drug started being taken by injection. Disease was introduced to drug users because of people, like you i assume, who thought banning would be the best social solution. Turned out to be the worst nightmare. People needed a way to find how they can come up with something that would give them a fix using the least possible amount since it was harder to find.

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 12:04

re Holland - right wing and christian parties, or as i like to put it - Fascists!!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 18th 2011, 12:38

@ Matthew Micallef.

Don't you think that it is rather stupid to try to explain to me selections from my own comment? It is much more reasonable for you to understand my comment or to skip it altogether if you find it too difficuly to understand.

The pro-drug commenters on this blog are all the time making wrong comparisons between cannabis and other drugs that are more or less dangerous. Who on earth do you think you are to order me to stop making my own professional comparisons?

I listen to Louis Armstrong's music but I do not learn anything about marijuana and alcohol from him. I do not intend to accept him as an authority on drugs just because you quote him.

Mark Frankalanza

Dec 18th 2011, 14:39

I agree with Matthew Micallef. Its an absurd comparison to quote AIDS/HIV etc when speaking of decriminalisation of Cannabis. Not making a distinction and classifying things is a total fail. Sorry. Mark Frankalanza M.D. (Masters of Decriminalisation)

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 18th 2011, 15:05

@ Mark Francalanza.

The liberal drug laws in favour of cannabis in Portugal were inappropriately quoted in support of decriminalization of cannabis in Malta. It was necessary to point out that those laws were introduced as a desperate measure to lower the high incidence of AIDS among Portugal's victims of intravenous heroin. It was as a desperate harm reduction measure. It does not mean that cannabis use is harmless. It is less dangerous than intravenous drugs.

That was the reason for mentioning AIDS in the context of the local attempts to decriminalize Cannabis. Those who claim to be Masters of Decriminalisation should be able to work out the connection at least when they are not suffering from a drug induced haziness.

Adam Cassano

Dec 19th 2011, 00:06

In your medical opinion then doctor, Do you honestly with all the scientific data to back this up think that the cons of marijuana use out way the pros in a medical scenario ? Now do not make your decision on smoking the plant only, as it can be administered in edibles, vapour, and liquid form as well.

I have seen children who have epilepsy go days without an attack, Patients with pain related disorders have smiles on there faces when no other drugs have worked.

I am asking for your genuine medical opinion on this. Putting aside smoking the plant for recreational use.

jere roughton

Dec 18th 2011, 11:15

you wont be talking this way if you was a chronic pain patient and then you will realize the true meaning of drugs .when anyone goes for an operation they are given drugs such as morphine etc do you even know where morphine comes from? think before you write hu ma fikx baz man

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 12:00

If anything, stupidity leads to heavy drug use. Don't know who is more stupid though, the person who gave you such a theory or you to believe it.

We have to do this! we have to do that! sieg heil!!!

Robert Callus

Dec 18th 2011, 12:40

David Caruana is a man with a strong social conscience. We disagree on this issue because I'm for decriminalization and he's for legalization but I personally believe that what he does is not motivated mainly by personal interest.

That said, even if it is personal interest, so what? He's an honest and kind person who will very likely go to jail because cultivating 2 plants for personal use is considered as trafficking.

http://robertcallus.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/david-caruanas-case-highlights-the-fact-that-the-war-on-drugs-has-failed/

David Caruana

Dec 18th 2011, 12:41

You're free to believe whatever you wish. We live in a free country.

David Caruana

Dec 18th 2011, 14:16

Thanks again for your support Robert.

What people seem to not understand is that if it is decriminalised, I'll probably do no jail time (if any amendments to the law could be made before judgment is given).

Yet, I am supporting something that goes beyond my immediate needs. As I said from day 1 it is in my personal interest that if anyone close to me is sick, they can be provided with the proper cure; it is in my personal interest that the vulnerable ones are protected while those who run no risk have the ultimate right on their own body and mind; it is in my personal interest that my country exploits a clean and carbon-neutral renewable source and yes it's obviously in my personal interest to stay away from prison because I never harmed anyone.

Having said that, everyone is free to make up his or her own opinion.

c p agius

Dec 18th 2011, 21:42

@ Steve....your comment is quite demeaning and nonsensical least to say....The fact that a person has a vested interest in the issue does not exclude him from the debate in the first place......

In anycase. from what i read, Mr.CAruana started this campaign well before his case cropped out in the media.

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 10:11

Ah! excessive abuse of alcohol. You shrewdly avoided use of alcohol and my guess is that in your family there is always a bottle on the table when dining. drinking in front of the children (no smoking in your family). You also seem to start from fallacious argument that if you smoke pot you must be a junkie. That is the common reasoning about the people in general. It is still ignorance however. Education is not done by banning things. You know the saying ' the forbidden fruits are the sweetest.' Education is bringing up children to be responsible and make responsible choices and you can't have that when you impose on others.

Ramon Casha

Dec 18th 2011, 15:44

You mention "excessive use of alcohol". Why just excessive? Cannabis is banned completely, not just in excessive amounts.

How about banning ANY use of alcohol whatsoever. Imagine banning ALL alcohol including wine and beer, banning even the use of wine in cooking. Even the Catholic church would have to find a substitute for wine to use in its eucharist. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine people being dragged before the criminal court because they tried making wine in secret underground cellars? Remember - alcohol is more dangerous than cannabis.

Andrew Marcik

Dec 18th 2011, 17:41

Bravo Eric, If heroin were legal tomorrow I still wouldn't try it. Its time for the gov't stopped trying to protect us from our selves and let us make our own choices. I challenge anyone to quote an article, in any country that can prove, a pot head has killed anyone because they were under its control or even violent at all. However, every weekend we hear of an accident that did kill someone, from a person under booze's control. Thousands of cases can be quoted, even here in Malta. of a man who beats his wife or kids while under Booze's control. Pot heads are the most docile people you would ever meet and a very small portion of them would ever or have ever done other drugs. My wife's a pain in the a** I didn't divorce her just because its now legal. It is shameful there are still people out there who can be brainwashed by those who wish to control us. They are still trying to demonize a drug that does very little harm to anyone even the user! It is equally shameful there are so many people out there ignorant enough to still believe its a gateway drug. And all the while the true criminal the ones smuggling it in, a drug that grows naturally as they guy going to jail for growing it. Who is capitalizing from the fact it is illegal? The ones smuggling it in, the dealers who deal it, or should I say the ones who allow some to get it in and arrest some of the others to get news for the press. It is clear a portion of Malta smoke it and not one case of a death from it? I guess all them smoke pot, do heroin and also have HIV and spread the various types of Hepatitis around Malta as the good doctor would have all you sheep believe. I think not. I think the good doctors on the payroll to help keep the sheep in the stable. Just my opinion!

G Schembri

Dec 18th 2011, 08:13

You can say you haven't touched canabis, but never say never. Hopefully you will never need to use it for medical purposes, but to say that the government should send persons undergoing chemo therapy to another country is to say the least inhumane. I gather you have no first hand knowledge of cancer patients, and I will attribute your comment to immaturity and inexperience. Sick persons need their loved ones beside them to give them help and support and if smoking cannabis makes it better for them so be it. After all no one raises any objections to persons being given antidepresants and sleeping pills even though they are considered addictive and dangerous.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 18th 2011, 08:54

@ G Schembri.

No one should have any qualms about using Cannabis derivatives for the treatment of disease under medical supervision when this is proved to be necessary. This is already being done in the case of opioids and other drugs where the dangers are known to be bigger.

This blog is about abusing cannabinoids for hedonistic purpose when the dangers of using all mind-altering drugs flippantly for that purpose carry unwarranted risks to health.

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 09:00

Dear Gabriel,

Not a drop of wine? (clearly you don't go to church then) Not any pill when ill? What would be a leap forwards in your humble opinion? Or is the world we live in all fine and dandy?

Matthew Micallef

Dec 18th 2011, 11:36

You keep circling round the argument, and keep repeating the same nonsense. So whatever happened to marijuana is the most harmful drug? Should never be touched? Are we agreeing that cannabis actually has SOME benefit in the medicinal world, Dr. Saliba?

And YES, this argument is very important when the punishment doesn't fit the crime. I went to protest out of respect for those twin girls that got run over, and out of respect for Mr. Holmes that got 11 years when the 'drug queen' got 12 years.

How about people start being more Christian, something which you all brag so continuously about, and started being more tolerant. Since when is it justifiable that a drug user should be punished more that the drug trafficker? Start reading and you'll begin to understand that it's YOUR misinformation which is causing the problem, not the users. A guy that smokes a joint is just as guilty as the guy taking a nice shot of single malt whiskey.

“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.” Ronald Reagan.

G Schembri

Dec 18th 2011, 13:12

@ Dr Francis Saliba - I was only pointing out to Gabriel Gatt how disgusting his comment sounded to me and others who have seen loved ones die of cancer, and know how painful it is. Maybe you did not read his comment that cancer patients who would benefit from smoking cannabis should be sent for such treatment abroad.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 18th 2011, 13:20

@ Matthew Micallef

"Are we agreeing that cannabis actually has SOME benefit in the medicinal world, Dr. Saliba?" (Matthew Micallef (18 Dec at 11:36)

The suggestion that Cannabis could possibly have some role as therapeutic tool in some diseases is under discussion. This is irrelevant to the question of decriminalizing or legislation in favour of this mind-altering drug should be made available, outside the medical profession, and for pleasure purposes.

It is reasonable to predict that the drug subculture would welcome any such theerapeutic development. This is not because of any legitimate concern about the sick. It is in the hope that any such lawful medicine could be diverted for criminal abuse among the drug taking fraternity.

Mr andreas bone

Dec 19th 2011, 05:26

How would you feel if god forbid someone of your own family would be sent abroad?, not only he/she would be scared to death because of his/her condition, to make it worse he/she wouldnt even be treated in his/her own country, reducing this person's morale to nothing & denying the possibility for all loved ones to be as close as possible. With people like you in power Malta would be doing a leap into oblivion! Fascist!

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 08:29

So we should all become monks then.

'At worst, smokers will start to function rather less than 100% in their workplace. And I imagine this is what our Government fears. A workforce of zombies, or near enough?'

what is the economy? Who decides the economy? Are we slaves or machines expected to perform at 100% for some selfish few? Indeed lack of productivity is the reason China banned the substance. Opium I mean. Cannabis would hardly make a difference in productivity compared to de-motivation. It is interesting to note that employers don't generally have problems with coffee and tobacco and it is very clear to understand the logic in that. We are not a machine or a slave. Some days some people are productive, some days less and no, its not only because they took a couple of tokes. A workforce of zombies? Yes, the government departments must be full of pot-heads.

No, there is no need to read reports of apologising cannabis smokers. Not in a legal system based on the classical notion that a user is considered 'sick'. It is in the interest of the defendant to claim that he is addicted not to be sent to prison but 'rehab' instead. this is what make statistics and reports riddled with lies.

Earlier you asked why people take drugs and I told you that people have there different reasons. Well, sometimes they are similar. most poor people take drugs because of social issues and having draconian laws is not going to change that one bit.

Silvio B

Dec 18th 2011, 13:57

@ j.xuereb ;So cannabis the plant was created by god and has medicinal properties? And morphine is a widely-used painkiller. And opium, I am sure, has its uses in the medical ambit. But take any of these - ARE You SERIOUS!!!!You are mentioning opium and morphine 2 substances which god knows what the ingredients are in them, with a pure and natural plant like cannabis,which is much like ppermint or oregano, by chance you are not one of those that thinks that syringes grow with the cannabis plant ux!!!!!!!!!

L. Schulte

Dec 18th 2011, 16:50

" Seeing that we are wired to seek pleasure to ease our lot, how, in god's name and his weeds, how is cannabis not potentially addictive at least? Anything that affords us pleasure demands a repetition. "

Am I to understand that you sit at home all day, eat chocolate or fast food, masturbate or have sex, and generally only do what you want, because after all, thats what gives you pleasure and so you have to repeat it?

G Schembri

Dec 18th 2011, 08:20

They did not claim that cannabis is harmless because it is produced by nature, they claimed that for medicinal purposes, cannabis should be used rather than some arificial medicine produced in a lab. In this case cannabis would come cheaper and would have more or less the same side effect.

David Caruana

Dec 18th 2011, 12:46

We support legalisation and regulation of cannabis because the herb is LESS TOXIC than alcohol.

Why the hell would we go for Botulinium TOXIN?

When you got something sensible to express, please come back.

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 13:55

Animals, such as cats, chew on the cannabis plants and do not choose to eat toxic plants. Which makes them smarter than people who take the time to come up with such a silly comment. Next time you take a walk outside keep an eye out for what is potentially really harmful for you. It might be the last time you go out.

Ramon Casha

Dec 18th 2011, 15:48

Botulinum toxin is legal. In fact it is sold under the brand name Botox. It is lethal in high doses.

Cannabis is illegal and is not lethal in any dose.

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 12:40

Foreigners being the 'extreme nuisance' primarily. Organized crime? of a legal drug? that would mean the government. Yes, see what you mean.

Charles Sammut. (NY)

Dec 18th 2011, 07:36

I wonder if Dr Salina has ever prescribed benzos like Xanax or Klonopin to any of his patients. These legal drugs are very addictive and they do change the pathways in the human brain by depressing the GABA receptors? I wonder if Dr Saliba has any problems with these legal mind altering drugs.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 18th 2011, 09:03

@ Charles Sammut (NY)

I have prescribed benzodiazepines, antidepressants and even morphine as and when demanded by international medical standards adopting the necessary precautions to minimise to near vanishing point the danger of addiction.

I have a grave problem with any attempt to place these drugs in the hands of medically unqualified pleasure seekers who couldn't care less about the dangers to themselves and to the rest of society.

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 08:47

Perhaps you might want to further enlighten yourself on the link between the increase in HIV, Hepititis etc. amongst drug users. You will find out that making the substance, opium, illegal is what created and introduced the use of drugs intravenously, causing more social problems then ever. Just though I'd mention it since the argument came up. Sad and ironic, isn't it?

Also you might want to check some details about your facts in the Netherlands. It is the right-wing and christian parties that are imposing these changes. Maybe you agree to their strategy cause they soothe you agenda?

Andrew Marcik

Dec 18th 2011, 23:21

In all due respect to you Dr. Saliba, but Pot is one of the easiest drugs to obtain in the world, even in Malta. Many use it here, already, and go about very normal and productive lives. They don't kill people after using it. Don't beat their children or wives after using it, they don't commit crimes, because they physically need it, they don't push it on to others to get people hooked. In fact, you can't get hooked because It's not addicting. The user can put it down any day and never go through any physical withdrawals. Can't say that for booze, cigarettes, coke or heroin. Most pot heads don't go on to use harder drugs after trying it. Whether legal or not they will keep using it until they choose not to. So the war on it isn't working. The fact is, Pot does very little harm to the body, or mind and you as doctor should know this or you need a refresher course. The only reason it is associated with crime is because it is illegal. The ones that benefit from the criminalization of it are the pushers selling it, and the gov't trying to stop people from selling it and using it. If they want to use it than who am I to say they can't, as long as it doesn't hurt me. It is much less of a problem for society than the legal drugs are. I don't see any association with pot and aids as you try to juxtapose. In fact, I see your comments as scare tactics meant to misinform the people as if one hit is going to give me aids or make me an addict. How many pot addicts are out there checking in to rehab and the hospital, thus being a burden to society? Zero. So what burden is it to me, the tax payer, to let them take it. I think it is much more cumbersome to society, socially and financially, to have to pay to feed and house a non-violent pot smoker, in jail for 3 or more years, just cause he grew a pot plant on his roof. He wants to smoke it and doesn't want to pay into the criminal underworld to do so. Bravo to him for finding a route to his pleasure that didn't hurt anyone. God and mother nature provided the seed and sunlight to grow it. There is a clear difference between a pot smoker and a heroin addict. The pot smoker may try to sleep with your daughter while being high, but he's not going to rob your house, car or even kill your daughter for her purse to get a fix like a junkie. This is the puke you are preaching and I am offended. Even you, a doctor should be able to admit a pot head is not physically addicted as a heroin or coke addict is. So if you admit that, than you also realize they are apples and oranges. Both fruit, but very different and thus should be classed accordingly. I think you want the gov't to give you and your colleagues the authority to pick and choose who can use it and who can not. That is no different than just keeping the gov't in the job of protecting us from our selves. I don't mean any offense to you personally, just offense to your comments, which seem to me to be motivated to keep big brother controlling us, not to mention you as a doctor, keeping the medical users at the beckon call of your prescription pad.

Eric Sammut

Dec 18th 2011, 08:27

Mr Fenech, I doubt you ever set foot in a night club let alone passive smoke.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 18th 2011, 09:19

"Dawn in nies ma kisruxx il lugi - kulma ghed jaghmlu qed jipprotestaw biex forsi nies bhalek u l - awtoritajiet jifthu ghajnejhom!" (Karl Mallia).

You are deceptive, sir. It is widely known that the organiser is already facing criminal charges of actually breaking the existing laws. No one can tell how many of the other participants in the small demonstration have also broken the drug laws without being detected and how many others could be facing charges.

Don't you feel the irony of complimenting (us) Maltese who, according to you, are waking up because some are choosing to go into stupor after abusing drugs?

Steve Pace

Dec 18th 2011, 10:07

Laws in Malta have been there since my great grandmother was cooking on her "Kenur" - life has changed its not like the way it was then! Laws should be revised to todays way of life..

What is today´s way of life according to you ? Are you suggesting that the decriminalization and possibly the legalization of any substance would help society in any way ?


people who use "Peace" at the end of their comments remind me so much of long hippie locks, Didgeridoo playing , an incredible smell of pot in the air.. ah the all new the flower power era..

But wait... this was back in the 60´s no ? ... forsi vera li jghidu.... ahna ghadna lura hdejn pajjizi ohrajn.. and maybe these so called wannabe modern ideologists are actually living in the past themselves !

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 12:12

Steve, haven't the told you that stereotyping is a stupid thing to do. And the way, pot was smoked way before the 60's and is still smoked today. Indeed not much has changed.

Steve Pace

Dec 18th 2011, 21:06

" stereotyping is a stupid thing to do "... it is .. but i am not sure you got my argument correct.. so i suggest you read again !

karl mallia

Dec 19th 2011, 13:46

Thank you for your comments I am glad that there has been a reaction to the words I wrote, it confirms to me once again that people are very fast asleep! Thank You

@Francis Saliba MD and Steve Pace

Suggesting!???? I dont need to suggest - I was commenting and if you go back to read my comment you will notice that I never "suggested" to decriminalise, or any mention of drugs.
There were people in the demostartion who are not " offenders " but still showed their face because they are pro justice - and that is what I was "suggesting"

I complement again the Maltese who are waking up and making noise - because yes we live in differnet times and we need to adapt - this was proven in the shout for divorce and many others.

@ Mr Pace. Sorry to dissapoint you ... It hurts to find out that by the word peace for you simbolises such picture,dread locks hippies pot and didgiredoo playing I find that very limiting!
Peace is what we are all looking for....

I think you need to go and discover and integrate with other people from differnt cultures - you will find out that people with long hippie locks, Didgeridoo playing , do not neceessary smoke pot - there are much much more people in suits and "normally" dressed people smoking and doing drugs ..

Question.

You seem you are well learned and university graduates etc ... it would be great if you can share your thoughts about the following...,

Someone is charged with manslaughter while driving like an idiot gets a slap on the wrist - ( i am not going to start with the problems caused from leaving a family with no father we all have good imagination ) while someone who never annoyed anyone but was growing 2 plants of Marihauna gets 11 years.

This is what people are waking up to and more are getting stirred!

PEACE

Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.
Dalai Lama


Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
Albert Einstein


Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
Buddha


If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Trevor Diacono

Dec 18th 2011, 10:21

dear Alex,

Its rather frustrating seeing people commenting when they have no idea what they are talking about...

cannabis plants need not be smoked for an effect... when abundant one could simply ingest on it.

alcohol is processed
tobacco is processed
cannabis is NOT

Alex Fenech

Dec 18th 2011, 10:57

@ Trevor

Equally frustrating is people's erroneous judgements and half truths, though i have got used to it.

Firstly, ingesting cannabis is the only non-processed method out of 8 methods of using cannabis. (Smoking/inhaling; Joints; Pipes and Bongs; Water Pipes;Vaporization, Eating or drinking; Creams and lotions; Tinctures). If you want to get stoned fast and cheap, inhalation is the method of choice.

Secondly, i might have misled you by not listing my academic qualifications after my name.

Chris Mercieca

Dec 17th 2011, 19:10

Sorry i dont like to be rude or something but may i suggest a thought; dont believe all what the media says :)

Chris Mercieca

Dec 17th 2011, 19:09

Far from it, if you try to first open your mind to questioning and ask why then i will be glad to answer and tell you my opinion however if you do not even to try to listen to us then its a lost cause, so if you chose to listen to only one side of the bell whoch trust me ila iddoqq hafna, then stay where you are people like you wont affect us

Gilbert Cordina

Dec 17th 2011, 19:35

Unfairness is not just...It is not justifiable to send somebody to jail because he had a plant...It is not about 1 person it is about freedom to be able to use this plant in many different forms, it's freedom! You just keep on making laws from your big mouths because you are brainwashed about this matter...Read on the subject inform yourself don't be a puppet

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 20:23

THIS was that protest. If you want to protect society from the results of strong drugs then we need to stop sending people to the suppliers to get the harmless stuff.

Mr Andre Borg

Dec 18th 2011, 00:51

Oh yes Ms. Galea, Is anyone from your family an alcoholic??? live and let live please

c p agius

Dec 18th 2011, 06:18

non sensical comments - if a substance user engages in criminal activity such as stealing and robbing then yes send him to prison but otherwise why should the state fork out thousands of Euros to keep a young man behinf bars for simply growing a plant and smoking it?...The demo was not endorsing criminal activities normally associated with certain drug users (chiefly those related to hard substances) but simply called on the authorities to decriminalise the ACT OF SMOKING A JOINT which in my humble opinion should NEVER land you behind bars,,,,,,By the way i am not a drug user yet i still went to the demo thus rebutting most people's comments against decriminalisation that those who attended the march did so as they had a vested interest........

daniel Gordon

Dec 17th 2011, 18:51

Every time you comment you misinterpret and distort the truth. The only comment you have come up with that is worth listening to is that Alcohol and Tobaco are dangerous.
Why do you always equate Cannabis with hard drugs such as Cocaine or Heroin(e).....

".....and addiction to cannabis is less harmful than AIDS", what kind of comparison is that?? Are you really a doctor?

The talk of Holland says it all. Its not the Dutch that have it wrong, but rather the neighbouring countries who wish to keep their population under the thumb. The Dutch people, quite rightly, have had enough of some of the "dope tourists" who come to the towns only for one thing. They do this because of prohibition in their own countries. If the other countries were to regulate the cannabis industry, they would not have thousands of people crossing the borders every day to buy cannabis in Holland.

Again, we ask you, what are you so scared of ? Are you so worried that a small part of the Maltese population may acctually enjoy themselves?

Mr Peter Korsten

Dec 17th 2011, 18:54

@Francis Saliba

The country is called 'the Netherlands', not 'Holland'. And outside pressure has nothing to do with it: it's the combination of the extreme nuisance caused in border towns because of particularly Belgian and French drugs tourists and of organised crime, and a right-wing government. For one thing, they've classified cannabis with more than 15% THC as a hard drug, putting it in the same category as heroin, cocaine and MDMA.

Please check your facts before making such claims.

Gianfrancesco Buttigieg

Dec 17th 2011, 19:59

Francis Saliba.
You make some interesting points but you're misinformed about the situation in Portugal and the Netherlands...

Robert Agius

Dec 17th 2011, 23:18

Not pressure from neighbours but right wing and christian party loonies.

Joe Mallia

Dec 18th 2011, 06:18

Cannabis is addictive just as heroin, alcohol ,benzodiazepines and whatever you care to mention. Most people will not get their fix with just a daily pin joint although this may satisfy their craving for their drug of choice at first and here lies the problem. They will want more every day as this will temporarily solve their main problem which is themselves! The fact that people are trying to make stonger forms of cannabis with more THC proves my point. You can never get enough and this is from an ex- user. Dr Saliba is right in saying that governments will choose the lesser of two evils when faced with a problem but it does not mean it's a solution. And for those that may say i've been smoking an evening joint for thirty years and never progressed to more, well folks you're the exception and not the rule.

c p agius

Dec 18th 2011, 06:27

at frans: you have to bear in mind that The Netherlands (not Holland) is currently governed by an ultra conservative party in a coalition government and as such the change in legislation in this respect is a by-product of that........They are anti-migration, anto-gays etc etc.........i mean they are extreme right conservatives and we all know what ultra conservatives (particularly religuos ones) are up to......

Ms.D. Galea

Dec 17th 2011, 18:55

Marijuana is a plant created by God himself and we are treating it like the devil! .............

IL-QARESU U IZ-XAHMET L ART HUMA UKOLL MAHLUQIN MIN ALLA. Meta tiddeciedi li ha tnixxifhom u tpejjiphom ,stieden lis-sur Peppi biex jiffilmjak, Forsi jaghmlek eroj nazzjonali.

Gilbert Cordina

Dec 17th 2011, 19:26

Ms. Galea nahseb ma qrajtx xi ktiebt jien - MARIJUANA CURES CANCER AND LOTS OF OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS! I am not talking about smoking marijuana i am talking about it's medicinal benefits which are deprived from the people because of the control of pharmaceutical companies - They give you pills with side effects, instead of herbal medicine, can't you realise this! THEY WANT MONEY! Yes Legalize it there is now way that any plant from God is illegal.

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 20:24

No, because the world's foremost experts say so.

Mark. Galea

Dec 17th 2011, 17:14

Mr Bonello, calling other people uneducated shows the level of education you have ...

Moreover, I have clashed more than once with cannabis users, so I know what to expect from certain "highly educated" people. I have seen more than one person who started on these soft drugs and finished on harder ones. And if these persons finish up trying to steal, or hurt anybody else (especially the elderly) to fuel their drug abuse, then I would be the first one to ask that they are kept where they belong to, i.e. behind bars. In fact, it would be a very good idea to make a protest to actually increase sentences for people who steal or hurt other people to fuel their drug abuse.

Moreover, I think Mr Caruana knew he faced 6 months jail term, so he should have started these demonstrations BEFORE, not after. He definitely should be taken to court under the current laws ... if in the future laws are amended, then a future case should be judged under that law ...

Mr A Bonello, what you are missing is the fact that in a democratic country the rule of law is above everything - if you take that out, what is left? Anarchy and the strongest rules.

A Bonello

Dec 17th 2011, 19:21

Mr Galea, I am sorry but if you or anyone else cannot distinguish between Cannabis and Cocaine/Heroin/Crack etc then i am sorry but you are not educated on the subject we are discussing.

As you have seen more than one person start on ¨these soft drugs´ and finish on harder ones i have also seen more than one person use ´these soft drugs´and never finish on harder ones.The idea that using marijuana will lead you to use heroin or speed is called the `gateway theory' or the `stepping stone hypothesis which is what your whole argument is based on.' It has been a favorite trick of the anti-drug propaganda artists, because it casts marijuana as something insidious with hidden dangers and pitfalls. There have never been any real statistics to back this idea up, but somehow it was the single biggest thing which the newspapers yelled about during Reefer Madness II. (Perhaps this was because the CIA was looking for someone to blame for the increase in heroin use after Viet Nam.)

The gateway theory of drug use is no longer generally accepted by the medical community. Prohibitionists used to point at numbers which showed that a large percentage of the hard drug users `started with marijuana.' They had it backwards -- many hard drug users also use marijuana. There are two reasons for this. One is that marijuana can be used to `take the edge off' the effects of some hard drugs. The other is a recently discovered fact of adolescent psychology -- there is a personality type which uses drugs, basically because drugs are exciting and dangerous, a thrill.

On sociological grounds, another sort of gateway theory has been argued which claims that marijuana is the source of the drug subculture and leads to other drugs through that culture. By the same token this is untrue -- marijuana does not create the drug subculture, the drug subculture uses marijuana. There are many marijuana users who are not a part of the subculture.

This brings up another example of how marijuana decriminalisation and legalization could actually reduce the use of illicit drugs. Even though there is no magical `stepping stone' effect, people who choose to buy marijuana often buy from dealers who deal in many different illegal drugs. This means that they have access to illegal drugs, and might decide to try them out. In this case it is the laws which lead to hard drug use. If marijuana were legal, the drug markets would be separated, and less people would start using the illegal drugs.

And finally Mr Mark Galea in a democratic country one should encourage experimentation by governments with models of legal regulation of drugs to undermine the power of organized crime and safeguard the health and security of their citizens. This recommendation applies especially to cannabis, but we also encourage other experiments in decriminalization and legal regulation that can accomplish these objectives and provide models for others. These are the positive steps we must push for, to better the current situation on our Island. Mr Caruana´s case is just proof of the change that is needed.

Emma Xerri

Dec 18th 2011, 04:15

@Mark Galea

The rule of Law? Laws are man-made and can be changed and revoked. So then in your estimation, the laws that permitted slavery or the laws against Jews in Nazi Germany should have been left - since these were 'the rule of law' in their place and time. And unless people speak up and demonstrate against unjust or preposterous laws, then these will never be amended.

And cannabis use does not create criminals since most people would be able to grow it like parsley or any other plant in their garden (if this were allowed) both for personal and medicinal use (in Jamaica, it is given to children with their coco for health reasons or brew it in hot water and drunk as a tea for relieving pain). Moreover, with cannabis a person does not have to have a 'fix' at all costs like with heroin or other hard drugs - it is these hard drugs that make addicts resort to crime to get their highs.

Adam Cassano

Dec 17th 2011, 17:21

There are so many holes in that information you provided it is no where near credible information. It is the view of one side not the facts from both.
Taking pills (medication) damages your body, can create addiction, are extremely over priced. What i did was only point out the bad as that article you posted did. There are pro's and cons to any argument. The facts need to be given from both sides to make an informed decision. The two main active ingredients in cannabis are CBD and THC. High CBD can help allot of people who experience pain on a daily bases and is no where near addictive as painkillers.
Cannabis does not have to be smoked to be administered. It can be put in capsules, food and drinks and be ingested. It can be vaporised which is not unhealthy for your lungs.

What i am saying is please do not post your opinion as fact when you do not have the knowledge to back it up your self.

Gilbert Cordina

Dec 17th 2011, 17:50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cUC8tjoB_0 Proof of Marijuana curing cancer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk5BRV-3cww&feature=related Health Benefits of Marijuana

Enjoy ;)

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 17:55

You mean just like everyone knew the world was flat, right?

Paul Smith

Dec 17th 2011, 18:48

That website is a joke - it is not a professional body and has a hidden agenda you have to do better than that

Let your youths live their healthy lives? One would expect you will be PV tonight telling all the youths how dangerous smoking and drinking to excess are - they do drink to excess - your past your time Mr. Boomer

Adam Cassano

Dec 17th 2011, 17:08

If the have not taken a shower in a week does that make there point wrong? There appearance has nothing to do with the facts.

F. Azzopardi

Dec 17th 2011, 19:40

You are very likely to win the award for the most insensitive comment ever written.

.... After all it won't make a difference to you whether they shower twice a day or twice a month!

Please don't judge. Looks can be deceiving.

T Gauci

Dec 18th 2011, 19:00

@F. Azzopardi

I meant how ridiculously they look in this clothing style! On a serious note It'd have been much better if there were smart looking people rather than the typical hipsters of graffiti.

Adam Cassano

Dec 17th 2011, 17:07

In the 1st part of your comment are you are comparing marijuana users to cocaine users and dealer? If so that is a very bad comparison. Marijuana is the least addictive drug, less addictive that caffeine. So are you saying that if i run out of money to buy coffee i'm going to go and mug an old lady to get my fix?

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.additional-resource.php?resourceID=002536

Drug users should not be generalised, there is a difference between someone who uses heroin to someone who uses marijuana. Drug users should be given rehabilitated if the have an addiction problem ( i am not referring to marijuana but the actual dangerous ones) not sentenced to prison time.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 17th 2011, 18:00

@ Adam Cassano.

Do you know of any addicted drug users who would be remotely interested in rehabilitation unless motivated by an impending court sentence or some similar catastrophe?

In the absence of such motivation do you believe that any rehabilitation has the remotest chance of success?

Have you any personal experience of drug rehabilitation efforts?

Adam Cassano

Dec 17th 2011, 19:44

Court action is not the only way to convince someone of rehabilitation. Interventions to show the effect of the addiction on the persons they love can have a better effect than threatening to send someone to prison which only effect the addicted persons loved ones even more.
What is the point of sending someone to prison where they can get the drugs easier than on the street? As stated in most reviews of prison systems world wide.

As i stated above i am not referring to marijuana users when talking about rehabilitation. Although if a person does have an addictive personality or abuses any substance then yes I believe that there are better ways to deal with it than treating them as a criminal.

Yes I do have experience of people I have known and close friends who have been addicted to substances far worse than marijuana. I have not seen one of them walk out of prison in a better state than when they went in. I have seen people who have been encouraged by there loved ones to seek help and seen that to have a better and more positive result on someone's life that a criminal record.

Dealing with an addiction should not be an ultimatum between get well or go to prison. An addiction is not cured by someone being locked up to go cold turkey. It has to be a change of there frame of mind.

Seamus Riolo

Dec 19th 2011, 02:52

"Dragged by the handbag?"
Can you explain to me how can someone get dragged by their handbag? Like can someone be dragged by their mobile phone ?
Did her handbag get stuck on her clothing by incident (maybe the zip or something pointy in the handbag?) and she was dragged by the robbers?
Did the thieves by any chance put a 9mm or a shotgun to her had and force her to continue to grab the handbag even while they drag her by the handbag?

I Don't want to sound neither arrogant not an accusers, but no matter how much time i spent trying to figure this out, I can't figure out how can a women be dragged by her handbag unless 1) the incident I named above 2) being treatend by a gun to keep on holding the handbag like i explained above or 3) Trying to be a hero and continue to hold on the handbag for again, some reason i can't figure out because if i was an old women and some robbers tried to rob me.. i really would just let go of the handbag and run away as fast as i can.

In no way i support those people and I hope they continue to get what they deserve, Prison., but we should really pay attention to what words we use...

Robert Callus

Dec 17th 2011, 16:41

Completely irrelevant. I don't use cannabis or any drug except for caffeine and tobacco. But if Mr Caruana does, and had two plants for his own use personal use, I don't want to see him going to jail for it. That's the whole point.

Mr Andrew Camilleri

Dec 17th 2011, 16:57

hadd mhu qed jisforzak -.-

J. Debono

Dec 17th 2011, 17:03

'Also this drug is also prescribed as medicine'

What exactly is your point? It is already legalized as a medicine, and one can buy it against a prescription.

Medicines are bought by a prescription, because MEDICINES ARE DANGEROUS if taken unecessarily. or just for the fun of it.

So your excuse that cannabis should be legalized because it is a medicine is void.

Regarding cigarettes, in my opinion they should be disallowed, they do ONLY harm, to people who smoke, and people surrounding them.

And you have the cheek to call other people narrow-minded.

A Bonello

Dec 17th 2011, 17:29

@ Mr J. Debono, I agree that Medicines are dangerous and especially Prescription one´s hence the requirement of a prescription. You would probably find that if you were to abuse of the medicines you could even overdose and die. Unlike the plant in question! If you knew nothing about it and had an ailment then a doctor might see it fit as a cure for whatever your problem might be and would proceed to prescribe it, which a doctor cannot currently do as it is illegal( In Malta)

And your disallowing tabacco theory is also a void argument as there are plenty of things that are harmful when abused...shall we start banning them all?

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 17:58

@J. Debono: No, it is illegal in all forms and cannot be prescribed as a medicine (in Malta).

city busuttil

Dec 17th 2011, 18:17

@C Debono pls keep yourself up-to-date. "In October 2011 the Dutch government proposed a new law to the Dutch parliament, that will put cannabis with 15% THC or more onto the list of hard drugs. If the law comes into effect, it would prohibit "coffee shops" from selling cannabis of that potency. The government finds motivation from its experts' assertions, that cannabis of that strength have an "unacceptable risk" associated with its usage". Why? Because, at their own expense, they are realising that the losses from increased crime outweigh the profits from drug tourism.

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 18:01

So, we jail everyone who sells wine, beer, spirits or anything else that contains alcohol as well as anyone who sells tobacco products, right?

J. Debono

Dec 17th 2011, 19:22

@ Ramon Casha

Alcohol and tobacco are not illegal

Your argument is not valid

Regarding alcohol, please note that in moderation every it is beneficial to health.
Cannabis is not.

Ramon Casha

Dec 18th 2011, 16:01

@J Debono: You mentioned "regardless of how little damage those drugs do". Alcohol and tobacco cause far more damage than cannabis. The fact that cannabis is illegal is exactly the thing that is being challenged here.

Alcohol in any quantity is NOT beneficial to health. Some studies claim that red wine, in moderate amounts, may be, but they do not attribute this to the presence of alcohol or they'd find the same effects in white wine or pure ethanol.

Cannabis can indeed be beneficial to health. It reduces the incidence of cancer as well as mitigating the side effects of chemotherapy, and its psychotropic effects can be useful in dealing with a number of psychological conditions. It is a drug of choice for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Cannabis in low doses has been found to be effective in countering depression. At present however, no doctor in Malta may prescribe it for any of these or other conditions.

Having sensible laws that actually help society is an integral part of a civilised society.

Luke Lanzon

Dec 17th 2011, 16:36

Go tell that to switzerland and other countries, but I'm sure you know better.

Chris Mercieca

Dec 17th 2011, 19:13

Your lack of tollerence sickens me

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 07:26

Oh my what madness!!!! the devil plant!! turns people into monsters!!!! Ah! I feel so lucky I'm rarely on the island, surrounded by loonies with the IQ level of a chimp.

Robert Callus

Dec 17th 2011, 16:35

The first illegal drug may be cannabis, but in 99% of cases the first significantly mind altering substance (=drug) is alcohol

http://robertcallus.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/is-it-a-gateway-drug/

I completely agree that the best entertainment is clean and sober (though I smoke cigarettes but it doesn't mean I'm happy about it). It's the message I give to anyone when I speak on one to one basis.

But because there are people who choose (it's not always a matter of choice actually) a less healthy lifestyle, than yours and mine, doesn't mean they should be considered as criminals. That's the whole point.

Paul Smith

Dec 17th 2011, 18:55

I agree with your sentiment and as a 44 year old i have spent the last 6 years investing in my bank called the body and maybe i have a youth gene in my body as i look 34 not 44. But i have always been a cannabis user and if anything, it has opened my mind up and made me extremely creative.

If cannabis is a hard drug (which it isn't) then alcohol is the hardest drug of all

Robert Agius

Dec 18th 2011, 07:39

What? you mean before coffee and beer? Fear of death doesn't make anyone immortal. Some people save for their pension only not to get there, health freaks included. It's a gamble and i don't gamble. It's about striking a balance, if you know what that is. Save as much as you need, but if you don't spend anything either, then you aren't living, you are existing. So do people who get to much sun end up looking like 50. I'd like to see you convince people to do otherwise though.

l vella

Dec 17th 2011, 18:12

Since you are an expert on statistics.....................do you have any statistcs showing death toll due to cannabis ?

Mr Mario Borg

Dec 17th 2011, 18:25

Exactly

Joseph Borg

Dec 17th 2011, 15:20

and add this too!

http://www.cannabissearch.com/news/medical-marijuana-brings-fewer-fatal-car-crashes/


the most important thing is the last paragraph!!

Joseph Aquilina

Dec 17th 2011, 15:53

In Malta a 14 year old is not be allowed to buy smoke. However you still find 14 year old (and younger) doing so!! Why? Simple; because although we all know it is unhealthy, we also know it is a legal substance, and therefore seen as a lesser evil compared to drugs. So you can only wonder what would happen if we legalise any drug!!

We literally spend millions on health campaigns and then rather then increase the number of illegal substances we de-legalise some of them!! Does that make sense?? In the future smoke will also be illegal because of the amount of money spent to help those who get sick because of it!! That is the future and not de-legalise some substance!!

Luke Lanzon

Dec 17th 2011, 16:26

Joseph, i highly doubt cigarettes will be illegal. Tobacco companies are huge and and will have a small chat with the goverment and easlily convince them to reconsider, also if cigarettes are made illegal it will cost the goverment much more than you think you know with paying money to try stop (which can never be done) cartels and the black market.

A Bonello

Dec 17th 2011, 16:32

@ Mr Aquilina, If smoke ( I presume you meant Tabacco) were made illegal then you would be pushing it straight down into the Black Market...into the hands of Criminals where you would be able to also get a gram of Coke or heroin, is that a good idea?
Plus if Tabacco and Alcohol wre made illegal we could wave our Free Healthcare goodbye as the taxes from them both are where a substantial part of the funds come from.,,,would that be a good idea?

Charles J. Buttigieg

Dec 17th 2011, 19:26

Charlene,marijuana is healthier than tobacco? What were you thinking? Maybe less harmful than tobacco,there's nothing healthy about tobacco and marijuana.

Charlene Debono

Dec 19th 2011, 02:00

@Charles J Buttigieg I meant that if you had to choose which to smoke, and not smoking was not an option, marijuana would in fact be the healthier option. It's like choosing with what to deep fry your chips- whether you choose vegetable oil or Lard you are still clogging your arteries. Tobacco would be lard in this context :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/addictions/cannabis.shtml Here you have the benefits of cannabis, along with the risks. It can be used to relieve pain in a lot of medical conditions. I'm not saying it's all good- If it was it would have been legal eons ago. I'm merely saying that there are several legal substances that are a lot more harmful. One of them, as I have said already- is tobacco. The other is obviously alcohol- I'm saying that if something is found beneficial medically, it shouldn't be illegal. Alcohol is legal, and I have never heard of a doctor saying 'Take a swig of this and the pain will go away' I'm saying that while something so harmful is sold everywhere, something that can be useful is banned. It doesn't make sense to me.

Michael Pace

Dec 17th 2011, 15:01

Maria, although this question is not directed towards me, I would like to comment about it still.

I have often asked this question myself, and the answer i come up with is that, even though I wouldn't be very happy about it, cause nonetheless, it is a mind altering substance, I would be more worried if my son or daughter had to, every weekend, Fridays, and Saturdays, go out, drink until they drop, and then have to drive home. Yes, I would be more worried if my children had to do be wasted in some place like paceville every weekend, rather then having them smoke a joint once in a while with their friends watching TV.

Pia Attard

Dec 17th 2011, 15:43

Ms Debono, no one is suggesting that it should be sold in the herb section for anyone to pick at. The people supporting cannabis legalisation suggest it should be controlled, like alcohol or cigarettes. Currently, at least if it was anything like when I was a young teen, it's easier for a child to get a hold of cannabis than alcohol. Drug dealers do not discriminate by age, and will sell to anyone who has the money.

I would rather my children stay at home together and smoke some cannabis, maybe playing video games and watch some documentaries and films, than go out, get drunk and risk their own lives and others by driving home under the influence of alcohol.

It's a matter of education. If legalised, parents would need to explain the harms of using such substances, as well as the positives, in the same way our parents would (or at least SHOULD) have told us when we were younger.

Jack Salero

Dec 17th 2011, 15:14

Sur Ernest Vella jekk jogbok zomm f'mohhok li jekk il haxixa tigi legalizzata hemm inqas cans li it-tfal tieghek jispiccaw jabbuzaw minnha mentri issa hemm dealers fit toroq li ma jaghtux kas ta eta. Jekk tigi legalizzata id-dealers jitilfu il poter u adulti biss jkunu jistaw jakkwistawa. L'ebda sistema mhi perfetta u se jkun hemm xi problemi bil bidla zgur pero nemmen li inkunu f'pozzizjoni ferm ahjar. Dan nghidu mil esperjenza .

Amante Reale

Dec 17th 2011, 15:28

Well, seems to me you don't know the difference between legalization and decriminalization. They were not protesting for the former but the latter. Legalization makes it legal, decriminalization stops it being a criminal offence, but still governed by civil laws - which means that one guy growing a plant does not go to prison for a ridiculous 11 years.

Mr Edward Caruana Galizia

Dec 18th 2011, 18:43

Ted Turner was born into a very wealthy family to being with. Secondly, please show me where you got that information about him being stoned all day.

You don't have to be stoned. Cannabis effects your memory more than alcohol. It also effects many other aspects of your life. Alcohol only does that when you drink copious amounts of it on a regular basis. So I don't see how you can make that comparison.

The truth is that those who smoke often will still suffer the effects even when they are perfectly sober.

I am still confused as to why you want it legalized. How does it benefit you, or others? What is so wrong with it being illegal?

J lanzon

Dec 17th 2011, 14:29

We are not disciplined, but when it's taxed and controlled, police have a better chance of controlling the abuse, then from when it's illegal. Fact not Fiction (Not going against you, just saying).

D. A . Agius

Dec 17th 2011, 14:31

Dear S. Briffa, the only benefit fo the Prohibition in the 1930's US was to the Mafia.

Today's mafia seems to do very good. Then even ruled within the Prisons so, in my humble opinion (never smoked a joint in my life, nor looking forward to) the main benefit will be to take out those who abuse of prohibition to sell expensive (and not exclusively) cannabis.

It is not a new idea! I believe some politicians actually mentioned the idea in the 90's but obviously, many people only see up to their nose (or have their head stuck somewhere else the Times would not publish for sure!).

If you consider the amount of theft and prostitution that happens simply to fund drug habits (mainly not for cannabis, but for harder drugs), the prison population in Malta (some 60% being there in relation to drugs) and the fact that there is little or no chances of the actual demand halting, the logical idea is to reduce the harm to those NOT using. Legislate in order to kill the big fish, not send the little fry to prison to be housed at the expense of the state whilst still buying (at even higher prices) their choice drugs!

Joseph Aquilina

Dec 17th 2011, 15:58

@D. A . Agius
Rather then spend millions to fight crime, we would spend millions to help those hooked on the drug, those who suffer illnesses because of it and more millions to still fight crime (which will start selling something else)!!

@ S. Briffa
Agree with you, but it is not just Malta, Swiss people ALSO said no to drugs in a national referendum. The only thing still pushing legalisation of drugs is politicians who do their best to win votes!! Because today votes are more important then people!!

Mr l Azzopardi

Dec 17th 2011, 13:14

armchair critic...

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 13:27

There is indeed a number of people who will stand up for what is right no matter what it is.

George Attard

Dec 17th 2011, 13:39

yes Mr. Caruana - and you forgot to mention divorce... people have a right to voice their concerns through demonstration, it's the beauty of democracy.

Why we don't demonstrate to get rid of corruption in prisons and have radical changes for tougher sentencing for criminals is beyond me however.

R. Cilia

Dec 17th 2011, 13:40

Live and let live, Mr.Caruana

Ronald Cauchi

Dec 17th 2011, 14:25

Yes Mr marco caruana, we need more people out in the streets protesting against all the injustices and archaic laws that weve had to live under because of fascist governments of the right and ironically of the left as well.

j brincat

Dec 17th 2011, 14:35

The people who have the guts to protest and who want change to align ourselves with Y2011!

(jb)

J lanzon

Dec 17th 2011, 14:02

ux 120 persuna mela qed tghix flispazju?

Robert Callus

Dec 17th 2011, 13:24

Between 2006-2006 there was a spate of arson attacks on people who dared speak against racism:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060514/local/arsonists-attack-another-journalist.54249

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100404/local/four-years-on-arsonists-remain-unknown.301274

I'm not saying it was the Lowell guys but you can't blame the police for having them as prime suspects, especially when it comes to the attacks on the Jesuits.

My point is, taking details of someone who may be smoking pot is a bit too much. Investigating on someone who may have committed such violent crimes, is another thing.

Cedric Mamo

Dec 17th 2011, 13:51

you say "bad idea" but you didn't mention any reason why it's a bad idea :)

Mr l Azzopardi

Dec 17th 2011, 13:54

explain why please Steve ...

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 17th 2011, 14:24

Sugar is not a drug - it is a food, a nutrient.

Alcohol and tobacco are habit forming drugs whose consumption is being actively discouraged by the Maltese Government by intensive propaganda and by a progressive tightening of the existing laws. .

Paul Smith

Dec 17th 2011, 12:45

Yeah funny that it didn't do that to Steve Jobs founder of Apple computers or the Beetles or sting or Richard Branson of Virgin Group or the thousands of other extremely successful millionaires on this Planet - didnt seem to do that to Barack Obama nor Bill Clinton or David Cameron - the list is endless - your anecdotals are about as informing of your dull post

Gilbert Zahra

Dec 17th 2011, 12:52

Well, I know people who smoke who are teachers, doctors, lawyers, technicians, accountants, post-graduate students etc. I think they do have aspirations.

R ferriggi

Dec 17th 2011, 13:07

frankly,,,,, i think the same thing about cigarette smokers.....

its dirty, ugly, sickening, egoistic, greedy, and is very bad for one's health and THOSE AROUND.

Mr Edward Caruana Galizia

Dec 17th 2011, 13:23

Clearly Obama, Clinton and Steve Jobs were not on weed every day. It's one thing having some every now and then at a party or whenever. But by legalizing it we will see people using it every day. That is a very different scenario.

I suppose in some way it also depends on the personality of an individual. But think about it: Who are we legalizing it for exactly? Doctors won't be able to smoke it, pilots won't be allowed, policemen won t be allowed. In fact, any professional would not be allowed to smoke weed because their employers would not want the risk of them being stoned during a job, not to mention the customer/client/passenger/ patient etc.

So who, exactly, would this benefit?

George Attard

Dec 17th 2011, 13:36

You make a very valid point Mr. Galizia however doesn't the effect alcohol being a 'depressant' drug (if you will) have the same effect more or less? My worry about having weed legal in Malta is the same as yours, society becomes more irresponsibe, lazy and and much calmer....but having said that alcohol is legal and can be consumed anywhere and yet 99.9% of us do not stumble into work drunk unless we don't want to keep our jobs.

With regulation and control, and yes we can expect it to get a little out of control, just like the problem we have of spirits and beer being sold to minors, the legalization can work and put more money in the country's couffers!

Mr l Azzopardi

Dec 17th 2011, 14:05

pls ... reread your last comment Edward

"It's one thing having some every now and then at a party or whenever. But by legalizing it we will see people using it every day. That is a very different scenario."

and please do see the utter contradiction in it.

..having a drink is fine downing a bottle of vodka and then some is another.

do you see it now?

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 17th 2011, 14:37

@ Paul Smith.

It is true that many of today's adults experimented with marijuana in their youth when they were still experimenting and "sowing their wild oats". The vast majority of them had the good sense to desist in time and before they got hooked. They do not belong, and they never belonged, to the drug subculture whose members got well and truly hooked so severely that they are unable to shake off the habit and have to take the risk of going to prison rather than give up drug all the time insisting that it is not habit forming and addictive!

Matthew Micallef

Dec 17th 2011, 14:48

@Edward: Alcohol is legal and yet there is a rule that states you cannot go to work drunk, so I don't, But I drink in the weekends when I dont work.

@Francis Saliba: I smoke because I won't believe the hype. I've done my own research based on facts and proof. I resent being associated with the drug subculture, and it's disrespectful and immature to accuse drug users of being addicts. My responsibility is my work, however my private life is my own not yours or the governments.

J lanzon

Dec 17th 2011, 14:59

@Mr Edward Caruana Galizia

First of all, You can't say if he wasn't on it everyday? Who are you to say?.. If he was, why is it a problem? Cannabis increases your creativity, it might have been what gave him the ideas "While being high". Who knows? Secondly, WHO CARES WHO TAKES IT? ARE you against it because you can't take it? Why should you be denying the right of someone else just because your against it? Pretty selfish thinking you have

Mr Edward Caruana Galizia

Dec 17th 2011, 15:01

@Mr Paul Smith

You are being very idealistic. Drinking is one thing. Smoking weed every day is another. Legalizing it would mean people smoking it much more often. You might not, but there will be many others who will.

Drinking wine is a very different experience to smoking a joint. Smoking a joint has a greater effect on the brain than having a glass during dinner. Your facts are just number on a paper. I am talking from what I've seen in the UK. Students coming to lessons late every day and constantly feeling tired, forgetting things that happened the day before and ultimately not being able to keep their scores up. You find these people all over the UK in just about every university. Potential smoked away.They lose all self discipline and concentration and spend the whole day in some sort of dream state.

Mr Edward Caruana Galizia

Dec 18th 2011, 14:54

First of all, let us all hope that no president is stoned while in office. Secondly, I find it hard to believe that people like Barak Obama get high everyday, or before talking to the press.

Weed does not give you magical superpowers. Yes it does stimulate creativity but if you were a creative person to start with then you don't need weed do you? Are people under such pressure to be creative that they need to smoke pot to get ideas?

I am not being selfish or imposing my opinion onto anyone. But behind the tales of how much more creative you become there is the reality of constantly forgetting thing, being drowsy or sleepy all day, becoming complacent and losing one's drive. Also, the lines that define who you are become more permeable and you lose your sense of self. You might think you've become more creative but you won t have much motivation to do anything with it.

I don't think Steve Jobs became successful thanks to weed. In fact in a talk he gave at a university graduation (you can find it on TED) he put it down to taking calligraphy classes at college. Judging by some of the people's opinion on here I would say that you probably have never actually seen how permanent the long term effects of weed are. Yes, alcohol is bad for you. Down a bottle of vodka at the weekend and you ll end up with a lot of embarrassing memories coupled with a bad hang over. But alcohol is bad for you the same way fast food is bad for you. Weed is different. Making it legal would mean that more and more people will smoke it and more and more people will end up suffering the long term effects that are hard to reverse.

I am basing this on what I know from the people I have seen who smoke two to three joints a day. Their brains are now fried!

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 12:55

Le, mhux l-istess persuna. Dwar l-ammont ta' pjanta, mhux il-pjanta kollha tintuża, għalhekk minn żewġ pjanti ta' madwar nofs kilo il-waħda toħroġ biżżejjed marijuana għal persuna waħda jew forsi tnejn.

Mr Johann Mifsud

Dec 17th 2011, 23:15

@ Ramon

Skond l-espert tal-Qorti din il-persuna li wehlet 12-il sena habs kella madwar kilo ta' haxixa jekk din titnixxef biex tintuza u tithallat mat-tabakk. Kun informat sewwa qabel titkellem habib

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 12:53

Look at it this way, due to the existing draconian laws, people are constrained to get their marijuana from the people who also supply cocaine and heroin, which are both MUCH more profitable to the pusher.

Mr l Azzopardi

Dec 17th 2011, 13:20

if you smoke cannabis beyond limits Mark... high probability is that you sleep ...cannabis does not stimulate you like alcohol. Its a common misconception though.

j falzon

Dec 17th 2011, 13:28

I agree. Could you imagine the carnage that could be caused by driving at a paranoid 10km an hour?! It would be mayhem and would certainly annoy the drunk drivers trying to overtake at 120km/h.

K Zammit

Dec 17th 2011, 12:41

Before you speak, Know what you're saying.... It will not be Illegal in Holland. It will be only sold to Locals.

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 12:52

Wrong. Not only is Amsterdam not changing its laws, but as from next January, you can legally possess, grow and use marijuana in Switzerland too.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 17th 2011, 13:17

@ K Zammit

......... and from a reduced number of outlets after complaints from neighbouring countries that Holland was operating narco tourism!

Joseph Borg

Dec 17th 2011, 14:07

I think before you try even to speak you should check your facts right. AMSTERDAM are not going to change the current law. They are only going to allow locals to buy.

and

1) We have to see whether such law can be done cause to me it sound very discriminative especially to people from EU countries. Are we EU citizens or not? So if i can go in Holland as an EU citizen, then WHY I don't have the same rights?

2) I suggest you go roll a joint and relax a bit cause your comments ALL OUT against those who want decriminalization are everywhere on the times of Malta. But maybe you prefer drinking a bottle of wine and spend the whole night puking or smoking 2 packets of cigarette daily and spend the whole morning vomiting your lung out!

So lets face it, do you think that although the govt has been doing so much things to control drug trafficking the use of drugs went down? if you answer yes than maybe you are living in another space.

and btw you mentioned Amsterdam......how come you did not mention the basque, the czech republic and Portugal who removed it from an illegal substance these last few years with the basque only few days ago? Why you did not mention ALL the countries where cannabis is tollerized and all the countries like for example mighty GERMANY and SPAIN where they rarely arrest anyone for possession for personal use and they smoke liberally in public even though it is still on paper illegal?

and btw those crying about cigarettes. You can do laws that control smoking of cannabis in dedicated shops, Simple if you go for example to Amsterdam, if you dont want to smoke? dont go to that coffee shop.....and by the way, for the info in amsterdam coffee shops sell only cannabis and they DO NOT SELL ALCOHOL. No cannabis smoking is allowed in clubs, stadiums, shops and bars and whatever else.....like it should be already.....minalijja!!!!! li f malta ma tistax tpejjep f postijiet maghluqa! mil bqija jekk tpejjep open air (btw hemm metodi ohra kif tista tpejjep il cannabis minghajr ma tuza anqas farka tabakk) considering il power station tal marsa, power station extension bil heavy fuel oil, is sigaretti esagerati li jitpejpu, l exhaust tal karozzi, l ispray li tuza u miljun haga ohra qerdu l ambjent, zgur li mhux il cannabis ha tkun kagun ta hsara fl arja!

Mela allura jiena li nixtieq wara 12 il siegha xoghol stressanti nintefa bilqgheda fuq is sufan relaxed inpejjep joint ma nistax, u bniedem ipejjep sahansitra 3 pakketti sigaretti kuljum (u mhux nesagerha) jista dak u min jixrob zewg fliexken inbid kuljum dak jista wkoll.....mela dawn jistaw jinqerdu u jiena li rrid inpejjep joint biex nirrileksja wara gurnata xoghol qed taghmlu plejtu!

Dan ma gewx jghidulna li jridu jillegalizzaw id drogi kollha ....bhal ma ghamlu ezempju ir republika ceka....jiena ghalija l argumentazzjoni taghhom hija validissima ghax ikollok kontroll, jinqata il black market, ikollok prodott aktar naturali minghajr tahlit ta mbarazz, ghax lets face it, id-dealers fis suq tat triq ma ghandhomx qlieh daqs il cocaine mil cannabis ghallura jhajru lill klijenti taghhom ghal drogi ohrajn. Plus hekk ikollok kontroll (suppost !!!ghax la fis sigaretti u anqas fix xorb ma hemm) li tevita li tfal taht l eta jsibu is sustanza fuq l idejn u eventwalment isibu xi princimess ta dealer fit triq jipprova jbieghilhom sustanzi li jaghmlu hafna hsara bhal cocaine u eroina u ecstasy u miljun imbarazz iehor .

Wara kollox hekk thalli bniedem qed ipejjep joint qed jaghti xi haga lill gvern taxxa u mhux jiekol wahdu u jikber u jintefah id dealer u bella kumpanija ta nies li komdi li jhallu kollox kif inhu ghax ghandhom interess personali! ovvjament biex jaqalaw kemm jifilhu flus!

At the end of the day, hawn malta diga hawn percentagg gholi ta nies li jpejpu il cannabis u legali jew le xorta dejjem issib tixtri u min kullimkien!!!! mela kuntenti hekk ghax dak ma jidhirx taht it tapit, bhal buzullotta tal habs, milli niehdu action u jkollna kontroll fuq x qed jinbiegh!

J lanzon

Dec 17th 2011, 14:26

Your wrong on a number of things.

1. It's not legal, it's still illegal. It's decriminalized while being tolerated. (Learn to know what your saying)
2. Wow aren't you a hero calling someone a hero cause he's not scared to show the real life problems we're facing in 2011. A lot of people still think about the 1980's when crime was at it's peak, No. Times have changed we need to move on, This is the new generation, like it or not, Cannabis will not be a crime, it can't because, who are you to say what I should do in my own time, but who am I to tell you what to eat?
3. Are we trying to migrate it to Malta now? What are you on about? Just because opening coffeeshops doesn't mean your migrating, but infact there are coffeeshops in czech republic, USA (some illegal) and many other countries who don't care about selling such a beautiful plant that deserves respect, not stupidity like some of you people around here.

Pierre The Clown, I mean critic...Please review what you post before clicking Submit.

Pierre The Critic

Dec 17th 2011, 12:27

Get a life man!

Patrick Vella

Dec 17th 2011, 13:12

Paul,
I can assure you that the judge handing down sentence does understand the modern world we live in - hence the sentence !
Secondly, nobody forced you to come to Malta or to leave - you did that out of your free will !
Last but not least - get your facts right before making draconian comments ! Each country within the EU has its own Laws...Malta has its own Laws just as Britain has its own Laws and these have to be respected by one & all.

Mr Ernest Vella

Dec 17th 2011, 14:13

Prosit...Franco Farrugia!!! ezatt ghidtha...Peppi Azzopardi, ilbierah kien mat-tfal...veru bniedem ezemplari...ghab ghalih li ghamel 17 il-prietka tal-Milied...Irrid jerfa r-responsabilta morali ghal iskandlu li ta lil dawn it-tfal meta mar jipprotesta biex iz-zghazagh tghada jkollhom mod iehor kif jinqerdu. Tal-Misthija!!!

Carmelo Aquilina

Dec 17th 2011, 12:39

you mean like those other psychoactive substances alcohol and tobacco... ?

Francis Saliba M.D.

Dec 17th 2011, 13:22

@ Carmelo Aquilina.

Congratulations! You got it right first time! Alcoholism, lung cancer, coronary artery disease etc due to smoking are serious trouble enough. We do not need to add to them!

Paul Smith

Dec 17th 2011, 12:27

It would be nice to see the police actually do a real job like traffic management and arrest of drink drivers and dangerous drivers whom threaten young children's lives daily - but no - they cant do that - they have to take photo's of normally law abiding citizens whom come home after a hard days work and smoke a joint whilst others come home after work and have a skin full of beer or cheap liver destroying wine. Alcohol shrinks the Brain - i have no doubt many many Maltese Brains have been shrunk by alcohol hence such backward laws against a plant that is no more harmful than 6 cups of coffee a day!

Robert Callus

Dec 17th 2011, 12:32

Making yourself a suspect of smoking weed is not exactly the same thing as being suspected of throwing petrol bombs and committing arson attacks on people who disagree with you, is it?

Ramon Casha

Dec 17th 2011, 13:33

I thought the police were there to protect the demonstrators against possible attacks by gangs of pharmaceutical companies whose pills could sell less :)