MedCann World Forum: A mission for Malta

Malta may not be where you would expect to find a medical cannabis conference. However, the tiny Mediterranean island is perfectly placed to welcome visitors from all four corners of the globe.

Malta has a population of just under half a million people, according to a 2019 census.

The country legalised medical cannabis in March 2018 and one month later introduced comprehensive legislation permitting production, cultivation, processing and importation for medical and research purposes.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said that Malta plans to export €900 million of medical cannabis within three years.

Not bad for a nation measuring 316 km².

Muscat believes that Malta will become a trusted player in the global market.

It was on this backdrop that the Medical Cannabis World Forum (Medcann Malta) brought together experts and industry professionals for three days of presentations, discussions and Q&A sessions, with The Cannavist as media partner.

At the latest installation, in November last year, delegates discussed the many facets of medical cannabis, touching on business, innovation, legislation, research, advocacy and more.

Speakers included Gregor Zorn of the European Cannabinoid Therapy Association, Professor Charmaine Gauci, superintendent of public health at Malta’s Ministry of Health and Robin Emerson.

Robin’s daughter Jorja was among the first people to be prescribed medical cannabis in the UK.

He told delegates:

“Cannabis gave me my daughter back.”