Malta Becomes First Country In European Union To Legalize Cannabis For Personal Use

At the beginning of December, we noted that Malta, the small European country, is making some big moves, which came into effect on Saturday, December 18.

The Maltese government wasn’t setting any false hope when they announced that recreational cannabis would be legal by 2022, and they managed to enact the reform bill before the new year.

President George Vella officially signed the legislation into law on Saturday, making Malta the first European country to enact such reform.

MP Owen Bonnici sponsored the legislation. Under the new law, adults 18 and older are legally allowed to possess up to seven grams of cannabis and cultivate up to four plants on their private residences for personal use. Additionally, those who grow cannabis in their private residences can store up to 50 grams of the plant in their homes.

Adults caught possessing more than seven grams but less than 28 grams of cannabis will be punished with a fine of €50 to €100 without facing jail time, nor will the fine be tracked on a criminal record. On the other hand, minors caught possessing cannabis will be referred to a commission for justice for a “care plan” but won’t face arrests or have a criminal record.

Although Malta doesn’t plan on opening a large commercial market, there will be non-profit organizations that will cultivate and distribute cannabis to its members.

These cannabis clubs are legally permitted to have up to 500 members but can distribute up to seven grams to each member per day. They can only sell 50 grams to one member per month. Clubs are allowed to distribute up to 20 cannabis seeds per member every month. 

MP Owen Bonnici said in a press release that Malta’s “robust legislative framework” highlights the government’s willingness to make bold decisions by “implementing wise and unprecedented reforms.” He hopes the new cannabis reform will bring about “change and social justice in the best interests of society as a whole.”

The vote on Tuesday in favor of the bill won by 36-27. The legislation noted the reform bill is targetting to balance individual freedom in the “limited and responsible” personal use of cannabis, according to Marijuana Moment.

Owen Bonnici also serves as Malta’s minister for equality, research, and innovation. After the law passed on Saturday, a government notice was subsequently released, saying Bonnici is responsible for implementing the bill.

With cannabis legalization and reform in Malta, the smallest member of the European Union is the first official country to make cannabis fully legal in the continent.