Watch: Smoking Ban At Cannabis Clubs Should Be Lifted, New Authority Head Leonid McKay Urges
New Cannabis Authority head Leonid McKay has proposed that people be allowed to smoke the plant within the premises of upcoming cannabis associations.
In a new interview with Lovin Malta, Leonid McKay warned that the current ban could be counterproductive and confirmed that discussions are underway with Reforms Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg to reverse it.
“We are in agreement that if we truly want to push for a harm-reduction mode, we cannot keep speaking about a situation of no onsite consumption,” McKay said.
“We need the elements of a supportive community and harm and risk reduction which cannot be done privately. If you just buy cannabis and walk out, no one can tell if you’re intoxicated, if you’re passing through personal problems you’re passing through or if you should have taken a different product “
“I think the element of onsite consumption is an integral part of our harm reduction model and the Cannabis Authority is in discussions for premises to have a communal aspect as part of the next phase of this reform.”
However, McKay stood firm on the promotion ban for cannabis associations, warning that allowing them to promote their services could incentivise more people to join them, thereby defeating the scope of ‘harm reduction’.
“Studies on the alcohol and tobacco industries show that as soon as there was a decline in marketing, there was a decline in consumption levels,” he said.
Applications for prospective cannabis associations are set to open on 28th February.
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