The Medical Association of Malta in a statement, has condemned ”without reservation the promotion and blatant advertising of `responsible cannabis use’ by government ministers who should hold the good health of our younger generation at heart.”

It went on to say that, ”124 Medical Research studies are clearly showing that there is no such thing as `Responsible Cannabis’ but rather a `Dangerous addictive drug’ with serious long-term consequences on Mental Health.”

The MAM argued that there is no such thing as ”responsible cannabis use, simply a drug which produces some very short term completely artificial `highs’ with very serious and long-term pains, in the form of major forms of mental illness.”

It stated that, ”with serious bans on tobacco and alcohol advertising in place, both considered `less evils,’ it is completely unacceptable for any political figure to promote such a scourge of modern society known to scar the lives of many young people for life.”

MAM highlighted a recent review from the international medical literature of 124 studies on the effects of cannabis on previously healthy youths free from any form of “Mental health issues.” It said that the study concludes that:

“The preponderance of the evidence suggests that frequency of cannabis use, THC (but not CBD) content, age of onset, and cumulative cannabis exposure can all contribute to these adverse outcomes in individuals without a pre-existing medical condition or psychiatric disorder. The strongest evidence for the negative effects of cannabis are for psychosis* and psychosocial functioning.”**

*(Psychosis is the condition which needs treatment with medicines and often a period of inpatient admission to a unit specialised in mental health).

**(Psychosocial functioning i.e., thinking, personality, coping style and social factors (i.e., family, relationships, employment, life events).

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