Many MPs not brave enough to admit they smoked weed: Byron Camilleri

Many MPs were not brave enough to admit they smoked weed in the past, minister Byron Camilleri told Parliament on Monday.

Camilleri was addressing the second reading of the bill on the responsible use of cannabis when he referred to a Lovin Malta vox pop that last year asked MPs whether they had ever smoked weed in their life.

Besides Camilleri, Rosianne Cutajar had also admitted to smoking weed when she was younger. Back then she was parliamentary secretary for reforms.

"I had said that yes, I had smoked a joint sometimes. I had said that I was fortunate I had never been caught, unlike many other young people who were prosecuted," he said.

'This is hypocritical'

"There was another MP from this side of the house of representatives who also admitted to smoking weed. But I'm sure that not all MPs had the courage to tell the truth, including PN MPs who plan to vote against the proposed law. This is hypocritical."

He was speaking in the context of a larger argument in favour of a law regularising recreational cannabis use for adults.

"Ironically, today if someone comes next to me with a cigarette I move away. The smell annoys me. I don't need this law for myself," he said.

"But...