In view of Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne’s dismissal of Godfrey Farrugia’s proposal on regulating cannabis-based medicine, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: “While it is true that politicians should never decide things on their own, but first listen to experts, it is absurd that Fearne thinks that politicians should not propose things. The role of a backbencher is to propose and criticise. Backbencher’s silence should not be bought through their incorporation into boards and authorities. Godfrey Farrrugia should follow up his sensible suggestion with the presentation of a private member’s bill on the regulation of cannabis for medical use. This is the only way forward in Malta, where arrogant governments think that everybody has to go their way… or no way”.
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Fil-kuntest ta’ kif is-Segretarju Parlamentari Chris Fearne xejjen il-proposta ta’ Godfrey Farrugia dwar kif jigi regolat l-użu tal-mediċinali estratti mill-kannabis, iċ-Chairperson ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika, il-Prof. Arnold Cassola, qal: “Filwaqt li huwa minnu li l-politiċi m’għandhom qatt jiddeċiedu affarijiet mingħajr ma jikkonsultaw l-esperti, dak li qal Fearne li l-politiċi m’għandhomx jipproponu affarijet ma jagħmilx sens. Ir-rwol tal-membri parlamentari huwa li jipproponu u jikkritikaw. Is-silenzju tal-backbenchers m’għandux jinxtara billi tpoġġihom fuq bordijiet u Awtoritajiet. Godfrey Farrrugia missu jieħu azzjoni fuq il-proposta bis-sens li għamel billi jippreżenta private member’s bill dwar kif għandha tkun regolata l-kannabis għall-użu mediku. Dan huwa l-uniku mod kif timxi f’Malta, fejn gvernijiet arroganti jaħsbu li kulħadd għandu jagħmel dak li jridu huma … jew xejn”.