This year the Maltese government announced that reforms would take place to permit the personal cultivation of up to 4 cannabis plants. This Thursday (22nd of April) ECAN are holding an event with reLeaf to discuss human rights, cannabis consumption and cultivation, and this exciting prospect of national policy reform in Malta. “The publication of … Continued
There is no doubt that psychedelics hold incredible healing potential to treat mental illnesses. Their ability is so great, claims circulate that they can ‘cure’ conditions, a term almost unheard of in psychiatry. The psychedelic movement has highlighted the vast benefits of these currently controlled substances, helping to liberalise and destigmatise them. It has … Continued
This piece was originally published for Insite Malta. With the government publishing a white paper proposing a decriminalised framework for responsible cannabis use on March 30, Malta is finally discussing an issue which has long been around. Cannabis reform has been a difficult field to navigate in Malta with current laws doing little to … Continued
Drug policy is a complex sphere to navigate for a whole host of reasons. The most important and difficult being that drug use is perceived to be a moral issue. It is obvious that policies based on morals rather than science are inherently problematic as biases and emotional reasoning cloud our ability to think … Continued
New York has officially legalised adult-use cannabis, becoming the 16th state in the USA to do so. It is predicted to be the largest market on the East Coast generating $2.5 billion in annual sales by its fourth year and approximately $300 million collected in tax revenue. New Yorkers can now possess up to … Continued
It’s Friday night. You’re planning on going to a festival with your friends. But first you take your bicycle and you take a trip to the ‘XTC-shop’. The cashier calculates exactly how much MDMA your pill needs to contain based on your weight and experience. The ingredients of the pill are listed on the … Continued
Psychedelics are making a comeback. We’ve recently witnessed a wave of re-emerging interest and research into psychedelic drugs. This has undoubtedly been a beneficial force for breaking down stigma, whilst highlighting the incredible potential psychedelics have for healing deep-rooted trauma. However, a narrative that isn’t addressed nearly enough is that our psychedelic research perpetuates … Continued
France has the highest use of cannabis in Europe, but it still remains illegal for both adult and medical uses. On the 13th of January 2021 the French government launched a consultation, asking the public’s opinion on the legalisation of cannabis for adult use. This consultation is open until the 28th of February, and … Continued
Belgium, June 2019: I am convicted along with nineteen other pioneers, based on the 1921 drug law. As a doctor in medical science, researcher, nurse and former humanitarian aid worker, I am all of a sudden demoted to an ordinary criminal, convicted to fifteen months in prison for my volunteering in an Antwerp Cannabis … Continued
The government has announced an additional £80 million funding for drug treatment services in England, in an attempt to tackle drug related crime. While it is good news that these vital services will receive a much needed cashboost, this ‘package’ is like attempting to heal a broken leg with a plaster. This funding comes … Continued