Labour Candidate Calls Out ‘Senseless’ Age Restriction In Malta’s Cannabis Reform Plans
Labour MEP candidate Cyrus Engerer has called out the government for planning to impose an age restriction of 21 for the eventual legalisation of cannabis for personal use.
“The government should harmonise the age for when a person becomes an adult,” Engerer said. “What sense does it make that 16-year-olds are considered mature enough to vote on their country’s future but that you have to be 21 to make the personal choice to use cannabis? However, 17-year-olds can take alcohol and different ages apply for sexual consent, smoking, driving etc.”
The government this year launched an educational campaign on cannabis as part of a strategy to convince children and youths to forego using the plant and instead seek pleasure in arts, culture and sports.
It will then launch a ‘harm-reduction mechanism’ aimed to allow cannabis users, defined as people older than 21, which will allow them to purchase the plant from safe channels instead of from the black market.
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