“If we really still believe that cannabis can be harmful  (even though studies dispute this) than sentencing needs to focus on help and rehabilitation, not prison.”

“Today, our society (as the Lovin Malta poll shows) is open enough to recognise this – our laws and courts must adapt,” Cutajar had said.

Labour Party activist and MEP candidate Cyrus Engerer also came out swinging against the decision, saying that he feels “we are dragging our feet on this reform.”

The Magistrate overseeing the case, Natasha Galea Sciberras, even agreed Marie Claire was cultivating for personal use but insisted her hands were tied because of the wording of the law.

“The law fails to distinguish between who truly deserves effective imprisonment suitably,” her judgement read.

Marie Claire’s lawyer, Joe Giglio, has launched an appeal, explaining that “people should not go to prison on account of a bad law which, as drafted, defeats the very scope for which it was intended.”

On a political level, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has said he is looking into the case. However, having overseen the reform that left this gaping hole, it remains to be seen if, when, and how effective changes will be.

The issue is not new, having been flagged by the same magistrate, lawyers, and cannabis activists in the past, namely Franco Debono who started championing the issue about three years ago.

READ NEXT: Labour MP Stands Up For Woman Facing Prison For A Bit Of Weed: ‘Malta’s Laws Must Adapt To A More Open Society’