Malta legalizes, set to regulate cannabis

VALLETTA, Malta — Malta on Tuesday moved to decriminalize the possession and cultivation of cannabis for personal use by adults, and took steps to set up what could become Europe’s first cannabis regulatory authority.

The legislative package still must be signed by the president, usually a formality.

It would become legal for anyone 18 or older to possess up to 7 grams of cannabis and to cultivate up to four plants. Growers for personal use could store up to 50 grams of dried marijuana. However, consuming cannabis in public or in the presence of minors would remain illegal and subject to fines.

The new regulations allow for nonprofit clubs that can distribute cannabis and seeds among their members, and it calls for establishment of an authority to work with the government on policy governing cannabis use.

Sponsoring minister Owen Bonnic said the legislation aims to “stop treating people who are not criminals like criminals,” create a regulatory system and “protect minors and society at large.”

The opposition Nationalist Party argued that it would normalize and increase drug abuse in Malta.