- Title: Malta becomes first European nation to approve cannabis for personal use
- Date: 14th December 2021
- Summary: VALLETTA, MALTA (DECEMBER 14, 2021) (REUTERS) PEOPLE CELEBRATING PEOPLE CELEBRATING / MAN HUGGING EQUALITY MINISTER, OWEN BONNICI PEOPLE CELEBRATING BONNICI SHAKING HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (English) EQUALITY MINISTER, OWEN BONNICI, SAYING: ''What we did here in Parliament is historical because it's the first time that we have managed to push forward a legislation which will do a number of good things. First of all, it will stop once and for all the criminalisation of people that for a lot of time have been criminalised when they are not criminals. So we have put an end to criminalisation of people who are not criminals. Secondly, we are going to curb drug trafficking by making sure that people who make use of cannabis now have a safe and regularised way from where they can obtain cannabis.'' (SOUNDBITE) (English) VALLETTA RESIDENT, GARRIN (SURNAME UNKNOWN) SAYING: ''I think it's a great idea because it helps people with pain and depression.'' EXTERIOR OF PARLIAMENT PEOPLE WALKING VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF PARLIAMENT
- Embargoed: 28th December 2021 17:24
- Keywords: Bill Cannabis Law Malta
- Location: VALLETTA, MALTA
- City: VALLETTA, MALTA
- Country: Malta
- Topics: Europe,Lawmaking,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001F80GUVB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Malta became the first European country to allow limited cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal use, following a vote in parliament on Tuesday (December 14).
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.
The bill was promoted by Equality Minister Owen Bonnici, who says Malta has adopted a "harm-reduction approach" with the establishment of an authority to regulate the sale of cannabis for personal use by adults from non-profit associations.
Smoking cannabis in public will remain against the law and anyone caught consuming cannabis in front of a child will be liable for fines of between 300 and 500 euros ($340-$564).
The legislation was rushed through parliament in the face of fierce criticism from the centre-right opposition, medical associations, and the church who complained that their requests to water down the proposals were ignored.
''We are going to curb drug trafficking by making sure that people who make use of cannabis now have a safe and regularised way from where they can obtain cannabis " minister Bonnici said.
Malta is also seeking to position itself as a European leader in the production of medical cannabis having approved legislation in 2018 to permit the production of such cannabis for medicinal and research purposes.
The Netherlands also has a liberal attitude towards cannabis, allowing the sale of small quantities in a policy aimed at managing crime and health risks, though officially it is illegal.
(Production: Darrin Zammit Lupi, Oriana Boselli) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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