Malta is on the verge of becoming the first EU country to allow recreational use, purchase and cultivation of cannabis. The parliament of the smallest EU member state approved a corresponding law on Tuesday afternoon. President George Vella has yet to sign the standard, which, according to Innovation Minister Owen Bonnici, should happen in the coming days. In addition, cannabis offenses are to be deleted from the prison records.
The law allows adults to have up to seven grams of cannabis with them, grow up to four plants at home, and buy small amounts from special associations. These cannabis associations must be non-profit and are not allowed to advertise the drug or their services. In addition, the authorities should delete entries from the registers of people with a criminal record in connection with the possession of cannabis.
Malta’s government argued that the reform would stifle the black market in cannabis and end the criminalization of consumers. “If an adult decides to use cannabis, he or she must have a safe and regulated route from which the cannabis can be obtained,” Bonnici said. Employers, medical associations and church-related organizations had mobilized against the reform.
In the EU, other countries are also debating the legalization of cannabis. Germany’s new traffic light coalition wants to make cannabis available to adults for consumption in licensed shops at the federal level. In Italy, politicians are currently discussing whether to allow cannabis cultivation at home for private purposes. A referendum is also in prospect. Luxembourg also wants to legalize the private cultivation and consumption of the drug.