A new research partnership between the University of Malta and the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis will study the differences between illegal cannabis and that which is accessed through licensed associations.
The agreement, which will see the University of Malta and the ARUC collaborate to carry out crucial research and testing of illegal and legal cannabis products, aims to help improve understanding of the differences in risks and safety profiles.
In December 2021, Malta became the first country in Europe to legalise cannabis for recreational use. Under the Cannabis Reform Act, consumers are now permitted to carry up to 7g of cannabis in public and grow four plants at home, without risk of prosecution.
The country implemented a social club model as opposed to establishing a commercial market, with consumers required to purchase cannabis through licensed non-profit associations. The first Cannabis Harm Reduction Association opened its doors in January last year, with requirements to provide education and training on harm-reduction and responsible cannabis use.
While cannabis remains illegal, the controlled use of it is aimed at minimising the potential harms to public health.
The new research partnership has committed to conducting an analytical study, led by the University’s Department of Chemistry, by October 2025.
The study will focus on analysing substances and pesticides found in legally grown cannabis from licensed associations, as well as those in illegal cannabis that has been seized by the court as part of judicial proceedings.
Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms, Hon. Rebecca Buttigieg, said that this scientific research should demonstrate how the risks of cannabis vary between street-sold cannabis and legally cultivated cannabis, which is strictly regulated by ARUC and Harm Reduction Associations licensed by the Authority.
ARUC Chairperson, Joey Reno Vella, stated that as a result of this agreement, the organization is expected to be in a ‘stronger position to enhance its collaboration with Aġenzija Sedqa in awareness campaigns against drug abuse’ and to further strengthen the regulatory framework for the associations it licenses.
Rector of the University, Professor Alfred J Vella, also emphasised the importance of this agreement, highlighting that this sector ‘must be served in a safe manner’ and that university resources should be ‘utilised for the benefit of society’.
Reform should first prioritise human rights
Cannabis reform advocates at ReLeaf Malta welcomed the new research opportunities, but questioned why it had taken until now to put this agreement in place.
ReLeaf’s President, Andrew Bonello, told Cannabis Health that while discussions with previous ARUC Chairs pointed towards all testing for CHRAs being done at the University— “thus ensuring all money generated by CHRAs is reinvested in the community”— there is currently only one private laboratory accredited to do so.
Bonello also expressed concerns that the agreement could see police issuing arrests on the pretext of ‘research’ and ‘harm-reduction’.
“We fear a similar agreement will give the Police a new found mission of ‘arresting home growers / personal users’ on the pretext of ‘research’ and harm reduction,” he explained.
“From a human rights perspective this would result in huge harm for the cannabis community in Malta.”
It is hoped that the research will encourage more people to access cannabis products from regulated sources, but Bonello highlighted that factors such as ‘affordability’, ‘accessibility’, ‘quality’ and ‘peace of mind’ from prosecution, are also key drivers in making this switch.
“It seems the ARUC has not yet commissioned a study on cannabis reform in Malta, including reasons for joining a CHRA,” he added.
“The reform should first prioritise human rights, social justice, and restorative justice. This is what really matters and what will bring positive outcomes in the lives of many. The full, automatic expungement of criminal records is one of them.”
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Author: News Editor
