Cannabis Reform in Malta - Protests in Valletta

‘RE-LEGALIZE! 0 deaths….. EVER’

(but it certainly can change the direction of a life.)

Whilst surfing the voice of the people on facebook I came across Nicky Sciculuna’s excellent photos (used here) from the first Maltese Cannabis Reform Demonstration held in Malta on 17/12/11.

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Having just smoked a small joint myself I am listening to reggae music like 'World A Reggae Music' by Anthony B and 'Downpresser Man' by Peter Tosh. I look at the 300 strong crowd. Some wearing typical ethical get-up: New-Age-Rasta cum Hippies blowing Digereedoos, boshing bongos and, holding signs…

‘God made Marijuana – Man made Pharmaceuticals – Who do you trust?’

That old ticket; I trust both equally thank you very much… I just took some Co-Dydramol as well – cheers for those pain killers man.

For arguments sake I think dressing like a stereotypical world-music-listening middleclass-traveller scares The Man at some deep suppressed level. He fears what he might become if his country is a place where the majority of people dress like that.

Though aside from this he needn’t worry about their protests, they don't faze him: it just looks like the choir trying to convert the preachers.

But when men at the front of the protest-pack are wearing suits and glasses (a more Smart-casual/Intelectual-informal dresscode) marching in solidarity, signs saying -

‘Dealers don’t check ID’s – Protect Kids - Legalise Marijuana’

This forces The Man to consider the morality of the situation and question the economics of the action. Of passing the law... Going double-Dutch.

Here’s the economics as I see it. Legalizing Marijuana in Malta would most greatly affect the ever important Tourism industry. The Malta Government Tourist Board currently seems to market the destination towards the cultural vulture, a good wholesome tourist, a cruiser. In his paper on *'Problems with Cultural Tourism in Malta' Jeremy Boissevain describes The Man’s search for *‘a “quality tourist”, one who would come in off-peak season’. Well they would certainly get that, I can see it now...

–The Amsterdamn On The Med –

...and The Man can see that too, the pot-tax: the dollar signs flash in his cartoon eyes. But God slaps him back to reality, how would Jesus feel if Jah began gaining favour in Parliamnet?

The many Language Schools in Malta would inevitably loose business too. I know my Mum and Dad wouldn’t expect me to come back speaking a language if they sent me to learn it on an island where weed was legal to purchase right there on the beach. I would come back tanned and jamming “wo wo wo yeah!” - my English worse than when I left.

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All in all I think it’s a good thing that people are standing up for what they believe and vocalizing their concerns. However I hope there is no fervour or commotion over the Protest for Reform. It’s a pity they have to draw attention to it at all. When I lived there 4 years ago all you could buy was hash, block, shit, chocolate whatever you call it.

If only they could just get on with the job at hand and quietly cultivate it.

Plant a few seeds. Permission or not.

Realistically this is the only way I see there being any chance of us getting some good stinking green Cali-Weed next time we visit.

Whatever.

WE MUSTN’T LET THE ARGUMENT (FOR OR AGAINST) OBSCURE THE REAL HERO HERE...

DANIEL HOLMES WHO IS BEHIND BARS FOR OVER 10 YEARS FOR GROWING A PLANT.

Get real.

Help him as best you can by signing this petition.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/daniel-holmes-does-not-deserve-10-years-for-growing-weed/

*Quote taken from Sustainable tourism in Mediterranean Islands & Small Cities edited by CARMEL FSADNI AND TOM SELWYN. 1997.