Cruise passenger fined for bringing over stash of ‘medical cannabis’

A cruise passenger has been fined for bringing his stash of medicinal cannabis to Malta with him.

Fernando Torne Sanz, 54, from Barcelona, Spain, appeared before Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech yesterday morning, accused of importing and possessing cannabis.

Inspector Alfredo Mangion explained that the man had told him the cannabis was legal and prescribed to him for the relief of chronic pain. He had been on a cruise and forgot to leave his cannabis in his cabin, the court was told. The police said that it had been established that the 18.2 grams of the drug were for the man’s personal use. Sanz pleaded guilty. Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo argued that a pecuniary penalty would be fitting in the circumstances as the man had already missed his cruise.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech imposed a fine of €800 and ordered the destruction of the drugs.

In a statement later in the day, the police said that the substance in question did not fall within the definition of cannabis for medical use according to Maltese law.