{"id":1434,"date":"2024-01-05T16:18:09","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T15:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/?page_id=1434"},"modified":"2024-01-05T18:11:41","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T17:11:41","slug":"foi","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/foi\/","title":{"rendered":"Freedom of Information Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1434\" class=\"elementor elementor-1434\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-38eb2a8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"38eb2a8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a7b2453\" data-id=\"a7b2453\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4a5843 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d4a5843\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>The Freedom of information Act (Cap. 496) <a href=\"https:\/\/ncpe.gov.mt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/document-6.pdf\">EN<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ncpe.gov.mt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/document-1-2.pdf\">MT<\/a>\u00a0is a law that gives access to documents held by a public authority. This law gives a \u2018right-of-access\u2019 to eligible persons, increasing transparency and accessibility. Every person resident in Malta or who has been resident for a period of at least five years, and who is either a citizen of Malta or a citizen of any other EU member State, is eligible to make a request under the FOI Act.<\/p><p>A request for accessing a document or information under the FOI Act can be submitted online through the FOI Portal\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.foi.gov.mt\/\">http:\/\/www.foi.gov.mt\/<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b3acb8c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b3acb8c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2b8a63a\" data-id=\"2b8a63a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a4d90a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6a4d90a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Information regarding the Authority for the responsible use of cannabis (ARUC), pursuant to Article 17 of the FOI Act:<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-31fc67e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"31fc67e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b082aa8\" data-id=\"b082aa8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-673c832 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"673c832\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-toggle{text-align:start}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title{font-weight:700;line-height:1;margin:0;padding:15px;border-bottom:1px solid #d5d8dc;cursor:pointer;outline:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon{display:inline-block;width:1em}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon svg{margin-inline-start:-5px;width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon.elementor-toggle-icon-right{float:right;text-align:right}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon.elementor-toggle-icon-left{float:left;text-align:left}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon .elementor-toggle-icon-closed{display:block}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon .elementor-toggle-icon-opened{display:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active{border-bottom:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-toggle-icon-closed{display:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-toggle-icon-opened{display:block}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-content{padding:15px;border-bottom:1px solid #d5d8dc;display:none}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title{padding:12px}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-content{padding:12px 10px}}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-toggle,.e-con>.elementor-widget-toggle{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1081\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1081\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Description of the department\/directorate\/entity\u2019s structure<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1081\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1081\"><p>The Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC) is established as per Cap 628 of the laws of Malta.\u00a0 The Authority is led by a Board of Directors headed by the Executive Chairperson.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1082\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1082\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Description of the department\/directorate\/entity\u2019s functions and responsibilities<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1082\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1082\"><p>The Authority\u2019s main functions are:<\/p><ul><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Registering and Licensing of Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations (CHRAs).<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Carry out and promote harm reduction campaigns and activities.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Organise and promote educational campaigns on the responsible use of Cannabis.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Organise training for key persons working within CHRAs.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monitor the use of cannabis in Malta.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Act as a contact point with international organisations.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>Setup databases and obtain access to international databases in the field of cannabis use.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1083\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1083\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">General description of the categories of documents the department\/directorate\/entity holds (including exempt documents)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1083\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1083\"><p>Personal data about the founders, administrators and key officers of the associations (restricted)<\/p><p>Anonymised data about the members of the associations (restricted)<\/p><p>Operational data about the association (restricted)<\/p><p>Application processing data (restricted)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1084\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1084\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Description of all manuals and similar types of documents which contain policies, principles, rules, or guidelines in accordance with which decisions or recommendations are made in respect of members of the public (including bodies corporate and employees of the public authority in their personal capacity)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1084\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1084\"><p>Public Service Management Code<\/p><p>Licensing &amp; Registration Charter (restricted)<\/p><p>Licensing Council Charter (restricted)<\/p><p>Guidelines to the Application Process (Public)<\/p><p>Data Protection Privacy Notice (Website) (Public)<\/p><p>Cookie Policy (Public)<\/p><p>Risk Management Policy (restricted)<\/p><p>Authority Directives (restricted)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1085\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1085\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Statement of the information that needs to be available to members of the public who wish to obtain access to official documents from the public authority, which shall include particulars of the officer or officers to whom requests for such access should be sent.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1085\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1085\"><p>FOI Officers may be contacted by e-mail: foi.mhsr@gov.mt or by telephone: 25689314\/306<\/p><p>FOI Requests may be submitted by e-mail to foi.mhsr@gov.mt, through the FOI Portal www.foi.gov.mt via the e-ID or through the online form.<\/p><p>The tracking of the whole activity (seed to distribution) will avoid the potential for illicit trafficking of cannabis and diversion to non-registered members or the criminal world. Significantly, Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations will act as a safe space where to obtain cannabis and related health information.<\/p><p>Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations have several tools to implement a harm reduction approach, including educational activities organised at the distribution centre. Activities could range from the simple dissemination of health information to the realisation of regular talks and workshops aimed at promoting responsible cannabis use and sustainable cultivation practices. Information about the properties of different strains, including expected effects and how to prevent risks will be imparted by trained employees working within Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations. Pertaining to the core purpose of establishing a communal and safe space from where to obtain cannabis, therefore ensuring the social space acts as a protective factor for people who use cannabis, harm reduction messages will also be conscious and adapted to the necessities of different persons. In turn, such environment facilitates the exchange of experiences without the fear of criminal consequences and in turn promote the development of a less stigmatised society. The ARUC is presently developing comprehensive harm reduction training and certification process for prospective founders and workers of CHRAs.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1086\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1086\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Details of Internal Complaints Procedure<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1086\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1086\"><p>An applicant whose request for information is refused, or who is otherwise not satisfied with the information provided, its format or the extension of the deadline for the submission of the notification indicating whether a request would be met or not, may address a complaint to the Public Authority.<\/p><p>The complaint should be addressed to the FOI Officer, who shall bring the complaint to the attention of the officer responsible. The officer responsible shall reply to the applicant within 10 working days from the receipt of the complaint. The applicant shall also be informed that he or she may appeal the decision or otherwise address a complaint to the Information and Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (Cap. 496 of the Laws of Malta).<\/p><p>The officer responsible shall inform the applicant of the decision taken with respect to his or her complaint, and in the event of confirmation of a decision not to release the pertinent information, shall explain the reasons thereof. Whenever the applicant\u2019s complaint is related to the format of the information provided or to an extension of the deadline for the submission of the notification indicating whether a request would be met or not by the Ministry, and the original decision is upheld, the applicant shall be given an explanation as to why his or her complaint cannot be positively addressed.<\/p><p>An applicant may also make use of the Internal Complaints Procedure to report failure to meet deadlines or to send notifications. In those cases where the request for information can be met, but has not been met within the deadlines specified by the Act, the officer responsible shall waive any applicable fees for the submission of information.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1087\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1087\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Other information<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1087\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1087\"><p>Complaints may be submitted to the Public Authority by e-mail to foi.mhsr@gov.mt, through the FOI portal www.foi.gov.mt via the e-ID or through the online form.<\/p><p>Payments can be made in cash or by cheque payable to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality (MHSR), at the following address:<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Accounts Section<\/strong><\/p><p>Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality (MHSR), 201, Strait Street, Valletta<\/p><p>Applicants are requested to make an appointment with the FOI Officer before calling the Public Authority for payment and\/or collection of documents.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Working Hours<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Winter Hours<\/strong><\/p><p>8.00am \u2013 12.30 pm and 1.15pm \u2013 5.15pm<\/p><p><strong>Summer Hours<\/strong><\/p><p>8.00am -1.00pm<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1088\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1088\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Public Authority Contact Details<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1088\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1088\"><p><strong>Office of the Permanent Secretary,<\/strong><\/p><p>Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality (MHSR), 201, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 1433<\/p><p>Telephone Number: 25689314<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Description of the department\\\/directorate\\\/entity\\u2019s structure\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>The Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC) is established as per Cap 628 of the laws of Malta.\\u00a0 The Authority is led by a Board of Directors headed by the Executive Chairperson.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Description of the department\\\/directorate\\\/entity\\u2019s functions and responsibilities\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>The Authority\\u2019s main functions are:<\\\/p><ul><li><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">Registering and Licensing of Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations (CHRAs).<\\\/span><\\\/li><li><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">Carry out and promote harm reduction campaigns and activities.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">Organise and promote educational campaigns on the responsible use of Cannabis.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">Organise training for key persons working within CHRAs.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">Monitor the use of cannabis in Malta.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\">Act as a contact point with international organisations.<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p>Setup databases and obtain access to international databases in the field of cannabis use.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"General description of the categories of documents the department\\\/directorate\\\/entity holds (including exempt documents)\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Personal data about the founders, administrators and key officers of the associations (restricted)<\\\/p><p>Anonymised data about the members of the associations (restricted)<\\\/p><p>Operational data about the association (restricted)<\\\/p><p>Application processing data (restricted)<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Description of all manuals and similar types of documents which contain policies, principles, rules, or guidelines in accordance with which decisions or recommendations are made in respect of members of the public (including bodies corporate and employees of the public authority in their personal capacity)\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Public Service Management Code<\\\/p><p>Licensing &amp; Registration Charter (restricted)<\\\/p><p>Licensing Council Charter (restricted)<\\\/p><p>Guidelines to the Application Process (Public)<\\\/p><p>Data Protection Privacy Notice (Website) (Public)<\\\/p><p>Cookie Policy (Public)<\\\/p><p>Risk Management Policy (restricted)<\\\/p><p>Authority Directives (restricted)<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Statement of the information that needs to be available to members of the public who wish to obtain access to official documents from the public authority, which shall include particulars of the officer or officers to whom requests for such access should be sent.\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>FOI Officers may be contacted by e-mail: foi.mhsr@gov.mt or by telephone: 25689314\\\/306<\\\/p><p>FOI Requests may be submitted by e-mail to foi.mhsr@gov.mt, through the FOI Portal www.foi.gov.mt via the e-ID or through the online form.<\\\/p><p>The tracking of the whole activity (seed to distribution) will avoid the potential for illicit trafficking of cannabis and diversion to non-registered members or the criminal world. Significantly, Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations will act as a safe space where to obtain cannabis and related health information.<\\\/p><p>Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations have several tools to implement a harm reduction approach, including educational activities organised at the distribution centre. Activities could range from the simple dissemination of health information to the realisation of regular talks and workshops aimed at promoting responsible cannabis use and sustainable cultivation practices. Information about the properties of different strains, including expected effects and how to prevent risks will be imparted by trained employees working within Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations. Pertaining to the core purpose of establishing a communal and safe space from where to obtain cannabis, therefore ensuring the social space acts as a protective factor for people who use cannabis, harm reduction messages will also be conscious and adapted to the necessities of different persons. In turn, such environment facilitates the exchange of experiences without the fear of criminal consequences and in turn promote the development of a less stigmatised society. The ARUC is presently developing comprehensive harm reduction training and certification process for prospective founders and workers of CHRAs.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Details of Internal Complaints Procedure\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>An applicant whose request for information is refused, or who is otherwise not satisfied with the information provided, its format or the extension of the deadline for the submission of the notification indicating whether a request would be met or not, may address a complaint to the Public Authority.<\\\/p><p>The complaint should be addressed to the FOI Officer, who shall bring the complaint to the attention of the officer responsible. The officer responsible shall reply to the applicant within 10 working days from the receipt of the complaint. The applicant shall also be informed that he or she may appeal the decision or otherwise address a complaint to the Information and Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (Cap. 496 of the Laws of Malta).<\\\/p><p>The officer responsible shall inform the applicant of the decision taken with respect to his or her complaint, and in the event of confirmation of a decision not to release the pertinent information, shall explain the reasons thereof. Whenever the applicant\\u2019s complaint is related to the format of the information provided or to an extension of the deadline for the submission of the notification indicating whether a request would be met or not by the Ministry, and the original decision is upheld, the applicant shall be given an explanation as to why his or her complaint cannot be positively addressed.<\\\/p><p>An applicant may also make use of the Internal Complaints Procedure to report failure to meet deadlines or to send notifications. In those cases where the request for information can be met, but has not been met within the deadlines specified by the Act, the officer responsible shall waive any applicable fees for the submission of information.<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Other information\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Complaints may be submitted to the Public Authority by e-mail to foi.mhsr@gov.mt, through the FOI portal www.foi.gov.mt via the e-ID or through the online form.<\\\/p><p>Payments can be made in cash or by cheque payable to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality (MHSR), at the following address:<\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><strong>Accounts Section<\\\/strong><\\\/p><p>Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality (MHSR), 201, Strait Street, Valletta<\\\/p><p>Applicants are requested to make an appointment with the FOI Officer before calling the Public Authority for payment and\\\/or collection of documents.<\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><strong>Working Hours<\\\/strong><\\\/p><p><strong>Winter Hours<\\\/strong><\\\/p><p>8.00am \\u2013 12.30 pm and 1.15pm \\u2013 5.15pm<\\\/p><p><strong>Summer Hours<\\\/strong><\\\/p><p>8.00am -1.00pm<\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Public Authority Contact Details\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><strong>Office of the Permanent Secretary,<\\\/strong><\\\/p><p>Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality (MHSR), 201, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 1433<\\\/p><p>Telephone Number: 25689314<\\\/p>\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Freedom of information Act (Cap. 496) EN\u00a0\/\u00a0MT\u00a0is a law that gives access to documents<a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/foi\/\">&#8230; <span class=\"read-more\">Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1434"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1434"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1444,"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1434\/revisions\/1444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aruc.mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}