Malta votes to legalize cannabis

The Maltese Parliament voted today to legalize cannabis by a margin of 36 to 27, a reform bill that the country’s president has already pledged to sign into law. Malta will thus become the first European country to legalize cannabis use, cultivation, and cannabis clubs.

https://twitter.com/Releafmalta/status/1470777834364973079

Future legislation will allow adults 18 and older to possess up to 7 grams of cannabis in public and to grow up to 4 plants for personal use. Up to 50 grams of home-grown cannabis may be stored at home.

Although there is no commercial market per se, cannabis clubs will be able to grow cannabis and distribute it to their members.

An adult found in possession of more than 7 grams but less than 28 grams will be subject to a fine of 50 to 100 euros, without the risk of a prison sentence or a criminal record. Minors found in possession of cannabis will be referred to a juvenile justice commission for a «treatment plan,» rather than being arrested.

Rep. Owen Bonnici, the sponsor of the legislation, told The Guardian that there is «now a broad understanding that the heavy-handed approach toward cannabis users was disproportionate, unfair, and caused a great deal of suffering to people who lead exemplary lives.».

Here's why we're bringing about change in the field of #cannabis legislation. pic.twitter.com/MjuADINLNt

-Owen Bonnici (@OwenBonnici) December 7, 2021

«I am very pleased that Malta is the first country [in Europe] to enshrine these terms comprehensively in law through a regulatory authority,» said Mr. Bonnici, who serves as the government’s minister of equality, research, and innovation. President George Vella is expected to sign the law by the weekend, Bonnici told The Guardian.

The Cannabis Clubs The groups authorized under the bill could have up to 500 members and would be limited to distributing seven grams per day to each member, with a maximum of 50 grams per month. They could also distribute up to 20 cannabis seeds per member per month.

The legislation itself states that its purpose is to «strike a balance between individual freedom in the limited and responsible personal use of cannabis and other social requirements.»

Lawmakers debated whether to set a THC limit for cannabis products, but ultimately decided against it because «you’ll be creating a new market for the black market,» Mr. Bonnici said. «What we need to do is educate people and keep them informed day after day.».

Malta’s national opposition party attempted to secure a hearing with the Parliament’s Petitions Committee after submitting a series of complaints regarding the proposed legalization, but the committee chair rejected the request last week.