Malta Parliament has approved a bill allowing the use, purchase and cultivation of marijuana for entertainment purposes.
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Under the new law, adults will be able to carry up to seven grams of marijuana, grow up to four marijuana plants at home, or purchase small quantities of the drug from associations set up to trade marijuana.
Marijuana associations will be required to operate as non-profit organizations and will be prohibited from advertising marijuana and their services.
Persons who have previously been convicted of offenses related to the possession of marijuana will have their convictions suspended.
The Maltese parliament approved the bill, despite opposition legislators voting against it. The President of Malta is expected to sign the bill in the coming days.
The Maltese government argues that the reform is a mitigation measure that will stifle the black market for marijuana and prevent users from being prosecuted.
“If an adult decides to use marijuana, he or she must have a safe and regulated source of marijuana,” said Reform Minister Ouoni Bonici, who led the reform.
The bill was approved by parliament despite strong opposition from employers, educators, medical associations and church organizations.
Although countries such as Spain and Malta tolerates marijuana for recreational purposes, Malta is the first European Union (EU) country to officially legalize its sale and production. Also Luxembourg a Germany have indicated that they are going to pass laws regulating the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. It is expected that Italy a referendum will be held on this issue.
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