The drug reform Bill will be tabled in Parliament by the end of the month, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said yesterday.

The reform, which will decriminalise cannabis and first-time offences related to other substances, is expected to be brought into force by January.

Earlier this year, Dr Bonnici said he wanted to gatecrash Parliament with the Bill. He said yesterday the team tasked with implementing the reform was “hard at work”.

The Opposition has yet to respond to the government’s proposals. PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami announced the party’s own proposals in June, which among other things suggests removing the mandatory criminal proceedings facing first-time users of any drugs.

Dr Bonnici said the reform was mostly needed to rationalise drug laws that were out of touch with the realities of contemporary society.

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