Malta is the first European country to regulate adult cannabis use

It's official: Malta is the first country in the European Union to legalize the cultivation and personal use of cannabis, announced yesterday the Times of Malta. Adults will be able to have up to seven grams of cannabis with them, grow up to four plants at home, and request a waiver of any cannabis-related criminal record or record.

Although several other countries have announced plans to regulate adult cannabis use, such as Germany, Luxembourg or Switzerland, the Parliament of Malta was the first to vote in favor of legalization yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, with the draft law for the responsible use of cannabis recording 36 votes in favor and 27 against. Equality Minister Owen Bonnici said this “historic” move will prevent minor cannabis users from taking on the criminal justice system and curbing drug trafficking, ensuring adults now have a safe and regularized way to obtain cannabis. . Malta already allowed the use of medical cannabis, having passed a law for therapeutic purposes in 2018.

The new adult responsible use law is now due to be enacted by Maltese President George Vella, a process that usually takes place within days of parliamentary votes. Vella, who is a physician by profession, has faced calls from NGOs and lobby groups opposing the reform plans to refuse to enact the law.

The Maltese government provides for associations to be formed to distribute cannabis and seeds for cultivation, thus regulating the amount someone buys, and a person can only be a member of one association. There should also be support for minors found with cannabis, who will be referred to a treatment plan, rather than facing arrest or criminal charges. 28, can be fined up to 100 euros. The punishment for smoking in public will be a fine of 235 euros and anyone who smokes in front of anyone under the age of 18 can be fined up to 500 euros.