Malta First in EU to Legalize Cultivation and Use of Recreational Cannabis

Malta voted Tuesday to legalize the cultivation of limited amounts of cannabis at home, along with its recreational use in the private sphere, a first in the European Union. Several EU countries have decriminalized the use and possession of cannabis for private use in the past 20 years, but the legislation is often unclear and the practice only tolerated.

Details of the new legislation in Malta

In Malta, the reform, adopted Tuesday afternoon in the Parliament of the small Mediterranean island by 36 votes to 27, allows the possession of up to seven grams of cannabis and the cultivation of four feet of cannabis per user of 18 years and over. Beyond seven grams and up to 28 grams, the user risks a fine of 100 euros. Consumption in public is also prohibited and is punishable by a fine of 235 euros. Consumption in front of a minor is punishable by a fine ranging from 300 to 500 euros.

Drug trafficking will remain illegal in Malta

The text provides for the formation of non-profit associations in Malta, allowing the production and sale of cannabis to its members – 500 maximum per structure. Labor Prime Minister Robert Abela had asked his party’s MPs to vote for it. “We are legislating to address a problem, with a harm reduction approach (to cannabis use) by regulating the sector so that people don’t have to resort to the black market,” he argued in parliament last month. He said he wanted to spare parents the “trauma” of seeing their children in court for smoking a joint, while keeping the pressure on drug dealers.

“Drug trafficking will remain illegal,” he said. In opposition, the Nationalist Party, after a waltz of hesitation in recent months, voted against, believing that the reform would “normalize and increase drug use” in Malta. The implementation and enforcement of these provisions will be overseen by a new public body, the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis. A traditionally conservative country on social issues, Malta had already decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis in 2015 and adopted a legal framework in 2018 with a view to becoming a hub for the production of cannabis for medical purposes.

Other EU countries could soon follow

Other European countries are preparing to follow Malta. Luxembourg announced in October 2021 its intention to allow home cultivation of marijuana and its consumption in the private sphere and the new German government is considering legalizing its recreational use. In the Netherlands, the possession, consumption, and retail sale of up to five grams of cannabis has been tolerated since 1976 in “coffee shops”. In Spain, production for personal consumption is tolerated, while trade and public consumption are prohibited.

—

(Featured image by Ferenc Horvath via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in lefigaro.fr, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.