The Parliament of Malta adopted the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes by 36 against 27 votes. The government introduced the bill that allows each adult residing in Malta to possess up to seven grams of cannabis and grow up to four plants.
On Tuesday afternoon, Malta became the first European country to legalize the cultivation of cannabis for personal recreational use.
The opposition, which favored better-regulated access, voted against, arguing that there were more important issues to settle in the country than legalizing cannabis. And in particular, Malta is still placed, since last June, on the “grey list” of the Gafi, the world intergovernmental body against money laundering and terrorism.
Luxembourg and Germany are thinking about legalizing recreational cannabis.
The text defended by the Maltese Minister for Equality, Owen Bonnici, allows each adult residing in Malta to possess up to seven grams of cannabis and cultivate up to four plants. The Maltese government supported the legalization of self-cultivation and personal consumption to regulate the cannabis trade and limit traffic, which will remain illegal.
“We do not encourage use, rather we recognize the realities of our society and legislate responsibly,” said Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela on Twitter.
Other European states could quickly join the country. Luxembourg and the new leading coalition of Germany also plan to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. As of today, only Canada, Uruguay, and 18 American states have legalized it.
Most countries chose to decriminalize the personal use of cannabis waiving prison sentences for consumers. In the Netherlands, the government has allowed the consumption and retail sale of up to five grams of cannabis since 1976 in “coffee shops.” But its cultivation and wholesale, mainly controlled by criminal gangs, remains prohibited.
The final stage of a long debate.
The text adopted in Malta constitutes the final stage of a debate that has been going on for several years. In 2015, Malta decriminalized the possession of small quantities of cannabis (up to 3.5 grams), then authorized, in 2018, the use of medical cannabis products.
Once enacted, the law will allow the creation of non-profit clubs or associations that will be authorized to provide cannabis flowers and seeds to their members. These clubs will have a maximum capacity of 500 members and will have to be located at least 250 meters from a school.
The consumption of cannabis in public will remain prohibited, and offenders will be fined 235 euros. The consumption of cannabis around minors under 18 years old, including in a private place, will be subject to a fine between 300 and 500 euros.