Malta becomes first European nation to approve cannabis for personal use

VALLETTA, Dec 14 (Reuters) – Malta became the first European country to allow limited cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal use, following a vote in parliament on Tuesday.

Luxembourg announced similar plans in October but its parliament has yet to give its green light to the measure.

The law, which was approved by 36 votes to 27, allows adults in Malta to possess up to seven grams (0.25 oz) of cannabis and grow up to four plants.

Malta to legalise cannabis for personal use in European first

Malta will this week become the first European country to legalise the cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal use, pipping Luxembourg to the post, as the continent undergoes a wave of change to its drug laws.

Possession of up to seven grams of the drug will be legal for those aged 18 and above, and it will permissible to grow up to four cannabis plants at home, with up to 50g of the dried product storable.

A vote in favour of the legislation in the Maltese parliament on Tuesday will be followed by the law being signed by the president in order for it to be enacted by the weekend, Owen Bonnici, the minister responsible, told the Guardian.

Malta becomes first EU nation to legalise cannabis

Adults will be allowed to carry up to seven grams of cannabis, and grow no more than four plants at home.

But smoking it in public or in front of children will be illegal.

Several other nations have similar plans, such as Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Countries like the Netherlands tolerate cannabis use in certain circumstances.

Malta’s parliament voted in favour of the reform on Tuesday afternoon, with the bill winning 36 votes in favour and 27 against.

Equality Minister, Owen Bonnici, said the “historic” move would stop small-time cannabis users from facing the criminal justice system, and would “curb drug trafficking by making sure that [users] now have a safe and regularised way from where they can obtain cannabis”.

Malta becomes first EU country to legalize cannabis for recreational use

Rome, Dec 14 (EFE).- The Maltese House of Representatives on Tuesday legalized the cultivation and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes, becoming the first European Union nation to do so.

The driving force behind the bill, Owen Bonnici, MP and current Minister for Equality, Research and Innovation, celebrated the vote, saying “We the change makers” on Twitter.

The law means that the small island state of Malta, which has allowed the consumption of cannabis for medical purposes since 2018, is a pioneer in the EU, becoming the first member state to legalize the use, cultivation and possession of cannabis within certain limits for recreational purposes.

The bill says that those over 18 years of age may possess up to 7 grams of cannabis and its psychoactive derivatives, such as hashish, and may grow up to four plants at home.

Malta to become first country in Europe to legalize cannabis for recreational use

(CNN)Malta is set to become the first European Union country to legalize cannabis for recreational use.The bill is expected to be signed into effect later this week by Malta’s President George Vella after legislators approved a bill by a majority vote in Parliament on Tuesday.”And the ayes have it! The #Cannabis reform bill has just been approved at third reading stage,” tweeted Owen Bonnici, Maltese Minister for Equality, Research and Innovation.