Results from laboratory tests on cannabis samples randomly collected from associations regulated and licensed by the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC), as well as from samples of illegally trafficked cannabis, show traces of pesticides in illegal cannabis, while none were detected in cannabis grown in accordance with the law.
The details were given at a press conference by Dr Godwin Sammut, the forensic expert who led the scientific analysis in this comparative exercise between the two types of cannabis. In this first-of-its-kind study, 24 samples were analysed, evenly divided between cannabis cultivated by licensed associations and illegal cannabis.
Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms, Rebecca Buttigieg, said that this result is further concrete proof that the reform on the responsible use of cannabis is achieving its objectives, since the controls being carried out are reducing the health risks associated with illegal cannabis.
"This analysis has provided reassurance about the effective controls that ARUC is carrying out on associations, which among other things are prohibited from using any type of pesticide in the cultivation of cannabis plants," said Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg.
She added that these results highlight the greater danger posed by illegal cannabis, which in addition to pesticides is often synthetic cannabis that presents an even higher risk to health.
The Parliamentary Secretary stressed that this study was not conducted to promote the consumption of legal cannabis, as it has always been the Government's mission to discourage the use of all types of drugs. She noted that this year ARUC will invest half a million euros in educational and prevention campaigns.
ARUC Executive Chairperson Dr Joey Reno Vella said that the study was made possible through a cooperation agreement between ARUC and the University of Malta, and that collaboration in this research will continue.
Dr Vella also gave an account of how ARUC is acting on reports it receives regarding nuisance caused by the smell of cannabis to third parties in residential areas. He said that in a few months, ARUC received 140 such complaints on the freephone 80002088, the majority of which were resolved after ARUC enforcement officers recommended effective remedial actions to eliminate the nuisance.
Dr Vella emphasised that the reform on the responsible use of cannabis must also safeguard the interests of third parties, because responsible use must be carried out with respect and responsibility towards everyone.
The details were given at a press conference by Dr Godwin Sammut, the forensic expert who led the scientific analysis in this comparative exercise between the two types of cannabis. In this first-of-its-kind study, 24 samples were analysed, evenly divided between cannabis cultivated by licensed associations and illegal cannabis.
Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms, Rebecca Buttigieg, said that this result is further concrete proof that the reform on the responsible use of cannabis is achieving its objectives, since the controls being carried out are reducing the health risks associated with illegal cannabis.
"This analysis has provided reassurance about the effective controls that ARUC is carrying out on associations, which among other things are prohibited from using any type of pesticide in the cultivation of cannabis plants," said Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg.
She added that these results highlight the greater danger posed by illegal cannabis, which in addition to pesticides is often synthetic cannabis that presents an even higher risk to health.
The Parliamentary Secretary stressed that this study was not conducted to promote the consumption of legal cannabis, as it has always been the Government's mission to discourage the use of all types of drugs. She noted that this year ARUC will invest half a million euros in educational and prevention campaigns.
ARUC Executive Chairperson Dr Joey Reno Vella said that the study was made possible through a cooperation agreement between ARUC and the University of Malta, and that collaboration in this research will continue.
Dr Vella also gave an account of how ARUC is acting on reports it receives regarding nuisance caused by the smell of cannabis to third parties in residential areas. He said that in a few months, ARUC received 140 such complaints on the freephone 80002088, the majority of which were resolved after ARUC enforcement officers recommended effective remedial actions to eliminate the nuisance.
Dr Vella emphasised that the reform on the responsible use of cannabis must also safeguard the interests of third parties, because responsible use must be carried out with respect and responsibility towards everyone.