Why Malta needs a Cannabis Humanitarian Bank

A recent article in the Times of Malta by journalist Marc Galdes recounted how homeless persons are facing increased health and addiction risks due to the use of synthetic cannabis. It seems that despite the setting up of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis in 2021 and the opening of cannabis dispensing spaces called Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations in 2024, vulnerable cannabis consumers continue to be barred from accessing quality tested cannabis due to socio-economic issues.

Very worryingly these people continue to be exposed to a myriad of unnecessary health, legal and social risks. The establishment of a Cannabis Humanitarian Bank and distribution of free cannabis could be a reasonable and responsible next step. 

One cannot fail to notice that issues related to synthetic cannabis and exposure to unnecessary risks are a cruel and dangerous reality which could be easily prevented in a regulated cannabis framework.

This is so much so when one realises that in the past four years, between the production of medicinal and recreational cannabis, Malta has one of the fastest growing cannabis markets in the region (in terms of consumer and population size). 

Back in 2021, Malta introduced the partial decriminalisation of cannabis for limited possession and supply for personal use. The supply side is presently permitted via not-for-profit Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations licensed by the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis to distribute not more than 50 grams of cannabis per registered member each month. A capping of 500 members is in function for these associations. 

More specifically, the decriminalisation and responsible regulation of cannabis aim to ensure:

Less exposure to trafficked and adulterated cannabis, including synthetic cannabinoid products such as HHC and Spice.

Less people facing criminal consequences for cultivating/consuming/sharing a plant.

Peer to peer dialogue, and compassionate and humanitarian policy options addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. 

National resources and enforcement efforts are focused on criminal organisations and transnational trafficking networks and mafias. 

More particularly the distribution of regulated cannabis on compassionate and humanitarian grounds, is identified as pivotal to address and prevent the proliferation of synthetic cannabis across vulnerable groups such as those falling below the poverty line.

National data from the NSO explains that in 2024, the number of at-risk-of-poverty persons living in private households was estimated at 16.8 per cent of the target population, an increase of 0.2 percentage points when compared with 2023. This is a matter of concern and one which should also feature when discussing drug policy reform and the regulation of cannabis. 

Malta has one of the fastest growing cannabis markets in the region- Karen Mamo

Humanitarian banks already exist in Malta. Just a few examples include the government’s own Żomm Tarmix food sharing platform, and the Millenium Chapel and the Victory Kitchen’s clothing and food distribution initiatives. Therefore, such as food which is past its best-before date but still of good quality and safe for consumption is donated to NGOs for redistribution among those most in need, why shouldn’t a percentage of cannabis surplus cultivated by CHRAs (maybe cannabis which has expired but is still safe for consumption) be too made available for free by the ARUC and Sedqa on compassionate and humanitarian grounds? 

Together with NGOs working with people facing financial and social hardships these institutions could strengthen their collaborative resolute by setting up a cannabis humanitarian bank and act as an extended cannabis harm reduction outreach initiative.

This would ensure that the application of harm reduction principles for cannabis distribution in Malta no longer distinguishes between those who can afford to pay and those who continue to be at the mercy of criminal organisations. 

Looking at the recreational market only, Malta has successfully licensed 19 operational Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations. Together they have a potential to provide quality tested cannabis for over 9,000 resident consumers. With a permitted allowance of 50 grams per person per month, and cultivation levels adjusted according to size and demand, these associations are cultivating substantial amounts of cannabis on a regular basis.

This has positively contributed to stabilise national availability of cannabis and greatly improved the quality of cannabis flowers. Furthermore, registered members are directly contributing to the cannabis reform through a 10% and 5% community and harm reduction contribution paid to the ARUC.

From a harm reduction perspective if at least 50% of these funds, together with a collection of cannabis surplus from each Cannabis Harm Reduction Association is used for humanitarian and philanthropic purposes, such as the establishment of a Cannabis Humanitarian Bank, the Malta cannabis reform would be truly fulfilling its mandate to address stigma and reduce harms. 

The establishment of a circular and inclusive system in full respect of equal human rights under decriminalisation would help Malta align recreational cannabis reform with broader collective efforts falling under the UN 2030 sustainable development goals. By prioritising human rights, and a people centred approach the ARUC and Sedqa have an opportunity to apply the responsible distribution of funds and products generated under a regulated not-for-profit system.

One hopes policymakers involved in drug policy design and regulation of cannabis understand the application of holistic harm reduction tools and through the establishment of a Cannabis Humanitarian Bank for those facing social and economic hardships enable the full realisation of responsible regulation, and social justice for all people who use cannabis. 

Karen Mamo is an advocate for drug policy reform and promotion of human rights for people who use drugs. In 2019 she set up an online educational initiative called Harm Reduction Malta and has since then been at the forefront of advancing a non-judgmental and evidence-based approach to drug laws and policies.