Grech is sceptic on cannabis, calls decriminalisation Labour vote-winning exercise PN leader says party cannot discount harmful effects of cannabis: ‘What we propose will be based on this, not on some vote-catching exercise' 19 April 2021, 7:57am by Matthew Vella Grech said cannabis also had its harmful effects, “much like alcohol or cigarettes, but those are no excuse for saying that cannabis should be legal as well.” A proposed decriminalisation reform for cannabis has turned into one of Malta’s many micro-feuds after Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech derided it as a vote-winning attempt by the Labour government. Grech said the PN would not be taking a position on decriminalising recreational amounts of cannabis possession and home-growing, until it carries out its consultation.