www.bbc.com Open in urlscan Pro
151.101.128.81  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

BBC Homepage
 * Skip to content
 * Accessibility Help

 * Sign in


 * Home
 * News
 * Sport
 * Reel
 * Worklife
 * Travel
 * Future
 * More menu

More menu
Search BBC
 * Home
 * News
 * Sport
 * Reel
 * Worklife
 * Travel
 * Future
 * Culture
 * Music
 * TV
 * Weather
 * Sounds

Close menu
BBC News
Menu
 * Home
 * War in Ukraine
 * Coronation
 * Climate
 * Video
 * World
 * US & Canada
 * UK
 * Business
 * Tech

More
 * Science
 * Stories
 * Entertainment & Arts
 * Health
 * In Pictures
 * Reality Check
 * World News TV
 * Newsbeat
 * Long Reads

 * World
 * Africa
 * Asia
 * Australia
 * Europe
 * Latin America
 * Middle East




MALTA BECOMES FIRST EU NATION TO LEGALISE CANNABIS

Published
14 December 2021

Share
close panel
Share page
Copy link
About sharing
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Supporters of the bill celebrated outside Malta's Parliament House on Tuesday

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

Adults will be allowed to carry up to seven grams of cannabis, and grow no more
than four plants at home.

But smoking it in public or in front of children will be illegal.

Several other nations have similar plans, such as Germany, Luxembourg and
Switzerland. Countries like the Netherlands tolerate cannabis use in certain
circumstances.

Malta's parliament voted in favour of the reform on Tuesday afternoon, with the
bill winning 36 votes in favour and 27 against.

Equality Minister, Owen Bonnici, said the "historic" move would stop small-time
cannabis users from facing the criminal justice system, and would "curb drug
trafficking by making sure that [users] now have a safe and regularised way from
where they can obtain cannabis".



However, Malta's opposition Nationalist Party voted against the change.

In October, its leader Bernard Grech - who initially supported the new law -
warned it would "only lead to the strengthening of the illegal market, with
organised crime taking advantage," according to The Times.

Opponents have called on Malta's president, George Vella, not to sign it into
law, which is the final, ceremonial stage.

Under the changes, anyone carrying more than seven grams, but less than 28g
could be fined up to €100 (£85; $112).

The punishment for smoking in public will be a €235 fine, and those smoking
cannabis in front of anyone younger than 18 could be fined up to €500.

Associations will be set up to distribute the drug or seeds to cultivate
cannabis, therefore regulating how much someone buys - and a person can only be
a member of one association.



There is also support for minors who are found with cannabis. They will be
recommended a care plan or treatment as opposed to facing arrest or criminal
charges.


CANNABIS LAWS AROUND THE WORLD

The move by Malta, the EU's smallest member state, is likely to be the first of
a number of nations changing their cannabis laws after the UN last year
reclassified cannabis to recognise its therapeutic uses.

The governments of Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland have all announced plans
to establish a legally regulated market.

Cannabis is still technically illegal in the Netherlands, which is famous for
its cannabis cafes. However there is a tolerance for the drug when it is sold in
the coffee shops.

Italy will hold a referendum on the issue next year, while South Africa, Mexico,
Jamaica, Portugal and a number of US states already have similar legislation in
place.

Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalise cannabis for personal use
in 2013, followed by Canada in 2018.





YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN WATCHING:

This video can not be played


TO PLAY THIS VIDEO YOU NEED TO ENABLE JAVASCRIPT IN YOUR BROWSER.

Media caption,

Meet the cannabis chef leading a culinary revolution


RELATED TOPICS

 * Cannabis
 * Drug use
 * Legality of cannabis


MORE ON THIS STORY

 * From anti-drugs campaigner to cannabis chef. Video, 00:04:17From anti-drugs
   campaigner to cannabis chef
   
   7 February 2020
   
   4:17
   

 * Teenager arrested over £30,000 cannabis seizure
   
   12 December 2021
   
   

 * Could CBD become 'like protein shakes'?
   
   29 December 2021
   
   

 * Spice drug 'tested' on immigration centre detainee
   
   1 December 2021
   
   

 * Drug and alcohol treatment sees rise in deaths
   
   25 November 2021
   
   





TOP STORIES

 * 1,500 US troops to be deployed to US-Mexico border
   
   Published
   5 hours ago

 * Man arrested outside Buckingham Palace
   
   Published
   1 hour ago

 * Seven bodies found in US search for missing teens
   
   Published
   2 hours ago




FEATURES

 * Fearful refugees wonder if they will return to Sudan
   
   

 * The 'dancing on the grave' murder that shook India
   
   

 * Feel-good TikTok song goes viral. VideoFeel-good TikTok song goes viral
   
   
 * 

 * Syria on way back to Arab fold as isolation crumbles
   
   

 * Why Eurovision is about more than music for Liverpool
   
   

 * Can a chatbot be as funny as Stephen Colbert?
   
   

 * 'Nothing we can do but watch babies die': Crisis in Afghan hospitals
   
   

 * Inside Denmark's secret nuclear bunker
   
   

 * The hidden power of the coronation
   
   




ELSEWHERE ON THE BBC

 * The fading glamour of hustle culture
   
   

 * Did a Black man discover the North Pole?
   
   

 * A misunderstood horror masterpiece
   
   




MOST READ

 1.  1
     Seven bodies found in US search for missing teens
 2.  2
     Man arrested outside Buckingham Palace
 3.  3
     Pornhub blocks access in Utah over age check law
 4.  4
     Second train derailment in Russian border region
 5.  5
     US official recounts bout of profound loneliness
 6.  6
     1,500 US troops to be deployed to US-Mexico border
 7.  7
     'Nothing we can do but watch babies die': Desperation in Afghan hospitals
 8.  8
     The 17 most eye-catching looks at the Met Gala
 9.  9
     Messi suspended by PSG over Saudi Arabia trip
 10. 10
     AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us'





BBC NEWS SERVICES

 * On your mobile
 * On smart speakers
 * Get news alerts
 * Contact BBC News

 * Home
 * News
 * Sport
 * Reel
 * Worklife
 * Travel
 * Future
 * Culture
 * Music
 * TV
 * Weather
 * Sounds

 * Terms of Use
 * About the BBC
 * Privacy Policy
 * Cookies
 * Accessibility Help
 * Parental Guidance
 * Contact the BBC
 * Get Personalised Newsletters
 * Why you can trust the BBC
 * Advertise with us
 * Do not share or sell my info

© 2023 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read
about our approach to external linking.