The NGO ReLeaf has strongly criticized the government’s recent decision to introduce random roadside alcohol and drug testing. The main point of contention lies in the treatment of cannabis users, as the NGO argues that cannabis can remain detectable in the body for hours without causing any impairment.
While the new measures were welcomed by opposition parties and several industry stakeholders, ReLeaf Malta expressed deep concern about the implications. In a video statement, ReLeaf president Andrew Bonello highlighted that the presence of cannabis in saliva does not necessarily equate to impairment or danger on the road. According to him, the absence of an “impairment assessment” risks criminalizing responsible cannabis users.
Prime Minister Robert Abela and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced the proposed amendments in response to growing public pressure after a series of tragic road accidents this summer. The changes are set to tighten penalties and introduce new testing methods during police checks, which have reportedly increased to unprecedented levels. However, Camilleri stopped short of clarifying which specific drugs would be targeted under the new roadside testing regime.
For ReLeaf, this lack of clarity is alarming. Bonello stressed that cannabis can be detected long after consumption, yet this does not mean that a driver is unfit to operate a vehicle. He drew comparisons with breathalysers, which directly measure whether someone is currently under the influence of alcohol, arguing that similar impairment-focused tools should be applied in the case of cannabis.
The NGO further emphasized the importance of dialogue. Bonello lamented that multiple requests for meetings with the prime minister had gone unanswered, despite other stakeholders such as insurance companies and lawyers having their voices heard. He also pointed out that across Europe, hundreds of court cases are challenging roadside testing technologies that are often deemed unfair.
Under current laws, adults are permitted to carry up to seven grams of cannabis and grow up to four plants at home, though use in public or around minors remains strictly prohibited. For ReLeaf, these reforms were a step toward fairness and harm reduction, but the new roadside testing amendments risk undoing some of that progress.
In their statement, ReLeaf reiterated their call for a balanced approach that distinguishes between actual impairment and mere presence of cannabis in the body. Without this distinction, they argue, over 60,000 cannabis users in Malta could face unjust treatment under the law.
As the debate unfolds, ReLeaf continues to push for evidence-based policymaking and meaningful dialogue, ensuring that road safety measures do not come at the expense of justice and fairness.