The Gozo Business Chamber has voiced its support to the position of Caritas Malta, the OASI Foundation, and the Association of Maltese Psychiatrists, on the White Paper issued by the Government on the use of Cannabis.

The Chamber in a statement said that it shares the concerns that were highlighted by the three entities. “As reiterated by the Chamber on several occasions, society and the economy are intertwined, and what happens in one impacts the other in various ways.”

The Gozo Business Chamber stressed that it is “not against the persons who use any type of drugs, but is against the use of drugs, as these affect the individual, the persons around him or her, and other sectors within society with whom the person interacts.”

“Many of the proposals in the White Paper will not in any way tackle the problem,” the Chamber said, “and will continue to aggravate certain issues which have been highlighted most appropriately by these entities who work on the ground, and who therefore have direct contact with the problems and issues caused by substance abuse.”

“Apart from the issues of enforcement of the regulations as proposed in the White Paper, and the alignment of these with Conventions which have been ratified by Malta,” the Chamber said that “these three entities also highlighted issues related to Occupational Health and Safety, which are not in any way tackled in the White Paper.”

To this end the Chamber said that it calls for “serious reflection” which is based on accurate studies and impact assessments, and an overall evaluation of the effects such a move would have on all areas.

The GBC concluded by stating that “heeding the advice of entities who have first hand experience of the implications such a policy change would have is crucial.”

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