Mariella Dimech, the former executive chair of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC), who garnered attention after her departure, has been appointed to a new government position. This time, she will be offering expert advice on drug abuse prevention, a move initiated by Labour Family Minister Michael Falzon.
After ten months in her previous role, Mariella Dimech faced a transition from her position at ARUC to a fresh consultancy focusing on drug abuse prevention under Minister Falzon’s ministry. This decision aligns with the ministry’s existing efforts, as professionals from Sedqa, a government agency, are already engaged in providing expert advice on drug-related issues.
Dimech’s new appointment coincides with the government’s recent issuance of licenses to cannabis clubs, which permit small groups to cultivate and distribute cannabis among members. Sources at the agency have revealed that her consultancy, awarded through direct order, serves as a form of compensation for her removal from her previous role.
Despite the shift in roles, Mariella Dimech’s new consultancy offers her a platform to contribute her expertise in drug abuse prevention. The Government Gazette reports her annual compensation for this role at €21,000, a notable difference from her previous contract of €82,000 in her cannabis-related position.