On Tuesday, December 14, Malta, the small Mediterranean island, voted to legalize cannabis, permitting its cultivation and use in private settings.
Legalization of Cannabis in Malta: What Does the Law Say?
The new law passed by the Maltese Parliament on December 14 provides for a relaxation of cannabis regulations. Adopted by a vote of 36 to 27, the bill was thus successfully passed.
Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela had asked his members of parliament to vote in favor of this legalization.
In his view, it was necessary to update the legal status of cannabis to spare parents from having their children brought to court for smoking a single joint. Furthermore, these new measures will help combat the illegal marijuana market, as individuals will no longer have to obtain it from shadowy networks.
Cannabis use will therefore be permitted in private settings going forward. Possession will be limited to 7 grams per person.
Cannabis enthusiasts over the age of 18 will also be allowed to grow the famous plant at home, up to a maximum of four plants per person.
However, as Robert Abela confirms, drug trafficking will remain illegal and will be strictly punished by law.
Cannabis users will, however, be required to comply with the new regulations or face a fine. The fine will be €100 if they are found in possession of between 7 and 28 grams of cannabis, €235 for consumption in public, and finally, consumption of cannabis in the presence of a minor will be punishable by a fine ranging from €300 to €500.
The law also provides for the creation of nonprofit clubs or associations, which will be authorized to grow cannabis and sell it to their members.
These organizations will be limited to 500 members each and may not be located within 250 meters of a school.
Finally, individuals who were previously convicted of possessing or using cannabis under circumstances that are now legal under the new legislation will have that conviction or those convictions removed from their criminal records.
Cannabis Use in Malta
Malta thus joins the ranks of European Union countries that intend to decriminalize cannabis or have already done so: Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands, and, most recently,Germany.
Yet, just a few years ago, the island of Malta had a very strict policy regarding cannabis and drugs, largely out of fear of becoming a hub for drug trafficking.
The government began a gradual legalization of cannabis in 2015 by allowing possession of up to 3.5 grams of cannabis. Then, in 2018, the country authorized the sale of cannabis-based medications, within a strict medical framework.
As 2022 begins, this new development is accompanied by the creation of an official framework designed to guide and facilitate its implementation.
Malta is once again demonstrating its progressive stance by relaxing its laws on cannabis. Let’s hope that Germany and other European countries follow suit and inspire France to finally legalize cannabis.
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