As of Tuesday afternoon, the Maltese parliament reformed the law decriminalizing personal use and cultivation of cannabis. The bill won by votes 36 votes in favor and 27 against. “Historic and Groundbreaking” said, Owen Bonnici, Equality Minister.
“The new law would end criminalizing small-time cannabis users, reduce trafficking through safe and regularized distribution of the products”, added Bonnici.
“Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis” is responsible to regulate the Cannabis usage in Malta.
Lets have a quick look into the new law:
Personal Use
- A person can possess up to 7gm and has to be 18+ that goes without saying.
- They can cultivate up to 4 plants and store up to 50g of dried cannabis.
Fine
- Smoking in public or in front of anyone under 18 is still illegal and can cost a fine up to €200- €500.
- Carrying above 7gm to 28gm will be fined up to €50- €100, however with no criminal records.
- The same goes for minor, anyone under 18 found with cannabis will be referred to a care plan rather than facing arrest.
Non-Profit Cannabis Clubs
Consumers can purchase cannabis through non-profit cannabis outlets. Furthermore these clubs should be located 250m away from school and youth centers. The non-profit group is allowed to cultivate cannabis and sell their members, 7gm/ day and 50gm/ month.
- Up to 500 members each club
- Consumers can also get up to 20 seeds/ month.
- An adult can only join one club.
Around the World
Last year United Nation reclassified Marijuana in hopes to recognize and utilize its therapeutic usage. Following the change Malta, the smallest E.U. member becomes the first to legalise and regulate Cannabis use and cultivation. Along with that Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland have announced similar plans.
Likewise, surpassing 500,000 signatures Italy will issue a referendum next year to decriminalize cannabis. Countries like Mexico, Jamaica, Portugal, South Africa and few states in US already have a similar regulations in place.
Even though cannabis is still illegal in Netherlands, there is some amount of drug tolerance when sold in coffee shops.
The first country to legalise Cannabis use in 2013 was Uruguay, Canada followed in the footsteps in 2018.
Wrapping up
The legalisation of Cannabis opens myriads of research doors, cause lets be honest, we have yet to recognize its potential.
