Medical organisations on Thursday welcomed the proposed decriminalisation of cannabis and applauded the government’s commitment to direct users to treatment rather than criminal justice.
But their endorsement also included a list of warnings about regular use of the drug.
According to the proposed reform, cannabis users will be allowed to grow their own plants at home and legally carry up to seven grams of the drug for personal use.
In a position paper, the Maltese Association of Psychiatry (MAP) warned that early regular use is associated with symptoms of psychosis and bipolar disorder in younger people.
It noted that cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance among Maltese youths and it said it can affect brain maturation in a negative way.
As educators working on a daily basis with children and youths, the Secretariat for Catholic Education (SfCE) and the Church Schools’ Association  (C
Household gatherings need to be restricted further over Easter to stop the spike in COVID-19 cases, a number of medical associations have insisted.
In a joint statement, the associations welcomed the recent restrictions announced by the government, although they said that restrictions have sometimes been too little, too late.
They thanked all those respecting the directives but insisted that household gatherings are curtailed over the Easter period. Only a maximum of two households should be allowed and only because working parents may need to leave their children with other family members. Strict safety measures need to be adhered to, even within households, the associations said.
Maltese health associations urge public to avoid household gatherings to curb COVID spread
Health associations are joining forces in an appeal to avoid household gatherings over the Easter period
14 March 2021, 2:54pm
by Nicole Meilak
Several specialist health associations are calling on the public to avoid household gatherings over the Easter period, as they are among the most efficient ways of spreading the virus. We are grateful to the public who, in their majority, have followed public health measures, the group said in a statement. However, we insist that household gatherings are curtailed over the Easter period. Only a maximum of two household should be allowed and only because working parents may need to leave their children with other family members. Strict safety measures need to be adhered to, even within households.