Malta legalizes cannabis for personal use
The Maltese parliament has legalized for personal use and cultivation of marijuana for recreational purposes, receiving 36 votes in favor and 27 votes against. The law must now be signed by the President of the Republic, George William Vella, which however is considered only a formality. The reform, presented by the Labor government led by Prime Minister Robert, provides that:
- You can possess up to 7 grams of cannabis and derivatives and only those who have reached the age of majority can possess it.
- Furthermore, it is legal to grow 4 plants and to be able to store up to 50 grams of dried inflorescences.
- Finally, there is also the green light for the establishment of non-profit clubs, which can only be accessed by registering, for cultivation and distribution exclusively among members. Each member can sell up to 7 grams, only once a day. Furthermore, these premises must be far from any type of youth gathering and, above all, from schools.
Regulations on the use of cannabis and related sanctions
Although Malta has legalized cannabis for personal use, this is not completely free, there are prohibitions and limitations to observe:
- The use of cannabis in public and in the presence of minors is prohibited; there will be heavy fines ranging between 300 and 500 euros.
- Instead, for those in possession of between 7 and 28 grams of cannabis, they will receive a fine of between 50 and 100 euros, without being subjected to any criminal proceedings. The measure also provides for the creation of a state authority to prevent part of the production from being diverted onto the black market.
Comparison with the situation in Europe of cannabis for personal use
In Europe the situation is still penalized: in Holland it is not legal, but you can buy up to 5 grams in Amsterdam coffee shops, but cultivation still remains illegal; however, in Luxembourg, it is still in the approval phase. In Italy the use of cannabis involves the suspension of your driving license and passport. Indeed, a referendum was proposed to support the cultivation of cannabis and remove these sanctions, collecting 630,000 signatures.
The United States, Canada and Mexico have already adopted legislation very similar to that established in Malta, which legalizes marijuana for recreational purposes.
In December 2020, the UN decided to remove cannabis from the list of dangerous drugs, precisely because it was not considered harmful to health. Indeed, proponents of legalization underline that there are several benefits.