The Right Side Of History? Legalisation Protest In Malta 40 Years Ago Precipitated Underground Movement For Cannabis
The mood was jubilant, yet apprehensive.
Despite brutal efforts by the police to suppress the use and demand of cannabis in the early 80’s a number of underground groups decided to take to the streets to demand the legalisation of a victimless crime.
Short-haired, retro moustachioed men wearing patent leather shoes stuck out like a sore thumb as CIDs (undercover cops) surreptitiously snapping photos of the demonstrators.
However, even this failed to curb the enthusiasm of the euphoric crowd who had managed to voice their opinion publicly for the first time in a period marked by police brutality against cannabis users.
Interestingly, popular DJ Alfie Fabri was instrumental to creation of this protest as one of the organisers.
At the time everyone had a friend that was beaten to a pulp at the police HQ or in a Volkswagen Jetta (the humble vehicle of the feared CID) for possessing a joint or even a cardboard filter or roach.
Rumours of people threatened with their lives or restrained in a locker while a fire was lit around them to reveal their sources led to the creation of an almost guerrilla-like resistance that got stronger as the suppression got harder.
Users knew that the battle against cannabis was political, instigated by the US and the UK for their own political and economic ends. However parents and employers tended to believe the propaganda about ‘the devil’s lettuce’ and many were dragged to Mount Carmel or lost their job for simple possession of weed.
Even the police conduct was forever tarnished which kept many from finding respectable employment for a moment of youthful experimentation.
The historic demonstration started at City Gate and walked around the streets of Valletta before marching to the ABC Theatre to gleefully watch “Cheech and Chong: Up In Smoke,” a cult stoner classic.
Some even plucked up the courage to light up inside the theatre without any obvious repercussions.
The show of strength at the demonstration and lack of fear towards the prohibitive powers that be encouraged more people to ‘come out’, and probably facilitated the organisation of festivals such as the infamous MaltaSajf where the weed became more socially acceptable.
This opposition to official mainstream wisdom has been vindicated by modern science that has shown that this herb can be beneficial both for medicinal use and to relieve stress and enhance creativity when used in moderation.
There are exceptions as teenagers with developing brains and schizophrenics could suffer adverse reactions.
After the abject failure of the war against drugs, steps to liberalise the cannabis market are spreading worldwide to battle organised crime and practice harm reduction. It seems that it makes sense to oppose laws which you feel are intrinsically unjust – especially when history proves you right.
Do you think these ’80s rebels were on the right side of history?
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