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Malta Becomes First EU Country To Legalise Personal Use Of Cannabis

Malta has become the first EU country to legalize personal cannabis cultivation and use.

The law, which was passed by parliament on Tuesday, December 14 by a vote of 36 to 27, allows adults in Malta to possess up to seven grams of cannabis and grow up to four plants. However, smoking in public or in front of children will remain illegal.

The legislative package will also create an authority to oversee non-profit organizations’ sales to adults.

Equality Minister Owen Bonnici advocated for the law, claiming that it amounted to a “harm reduction” strategy that would stop “treating people who are not criminals like criminals.”

He refuted allegations made by the opposition Nationalist Party that the bill would normalize and encourage drug use on the island.

The Nationalist Party’s leader Bernard Grech – who initially supported the new law, previously said it would “only lead to the strengthening of the illegal market, with organised crime taking advantage”.

But Mr. Bonnici wrote in the Sunday Times of Malta: “The government is in no way urging adults to resort to cannabis use or promoting a cannabis culture. The government always urges people to make healthier choices”.

Opponents of the measures have urged the country’s president, George Vella, not to sign the legislation into law, the final ceremonial step in the legislative process.

Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland have all stated their intention to establish a legally regulated cannabis market.

Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalize cannabis for personal use in 2013, and Canada followed suit in 2018.

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