According to the head of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis in Malta, the first two European Union licenses have been issued to non-profit organizations to grow and distribute legal marijuana. This is an example of Malta’s cautious approach to legalizing the drug following its status as the first EU country to end the prohibition of marijuana in 2021.
ARUC’s Executive Chair Leonid McCay announced the agency had granted operational licenses for two associations: KDD Society, and Ta’ Zelli. This allows them to start cultivation. ARUC must test the cannabis before groups can start distributing it.
According to the Transform Drug Policy Foundation which is involved in policymaking as a consultant, the associations aim to start legal distribution by February. McKay stated at a recent press conference that the prices will be competitive with the illicit market. However, the government won’t have a direct influence on pricing.
According to Malta today, four more associations were granted in-principle licences. They are expected to receive operational licenses eventually.
Maltese law permits home-grown marijuana but prohibits marijuana sales for profit. These nonprofits are technically called “cannabis damage reduction associations” and they’re intended to satisfy consumer demand without commercializing the industry. ARUC’s website states that the goal of the organization is to “remain steadfast in our approach of discouraging cannabis use and delaying its consumption” while moving away more punitive methods of the past.
Malta’s new licenses are unique in Europe. While similar entities exist informally in other parts Europe, Malta is the first EU country to issue such licenses.
Adults 18 years and older may possess up to 7 grams of cannabis for personal use and grow up to 4 plants. For personal use, up to 50 grams of marijuana grown at home can be stored. Adults who possess more than 7 grams of marijuana but less than 28 gms will be fined EUR50-EUR100 without any threat of jail or criminal record. Minors found with cannabis will be referred to the commission for justice, who will develop a “careplan” for them instead of arresting them.
Cannabis associations may have up to 500 members, and can only distribute 7 grams of cannabis per day per member. The maximum is 50 grams per calendar month. The associations could also give away up to 20 cannabis seed per month. The purpose of the legislation is to “allow for an balance between individual freedom and personal responsibility in using cannabis in a limited manner.”
Bonnici, the minister of equality, research, and innovation for the government, explained that while there was a debate at the time on whether or not to limit the THC content in marijuana products, the lawmakers ultimately decided against it because “you would be creating a market for the dark market.” “We need to inform and educate the public every day.”
In Europe, German lawmakers began examining a bill that would legalize marijuana in this month. The measure spearheaded by Health minister Karl Lauterbach would allow adults to possess cannabis and grow a maximum three plants for their personal use .
The German plan, like the one in Malta, would create social clubs where marijuana could be distributed to members. The German plan would also create social clubs that could distribute marijuana to members.
Lauterbach stated in March that German officials received “very positive feedback” from EU regarding the previous reform framework. Lauterbach said in March that German officials had received “very good feedback” from the EU on the prior reform framework.
In July 2022, officials from Malta, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands met for the first time to discuss plans and challenges related to recreational marijuana legalization.
In a survey conducted last year, the majority of respondents in several European countries supported legalization. Malta was not included.
Residents of France, Germany and Italy were asked questions, as well as residents from the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. In each of these countries, there was a majority in favor of legalization. The Netherlands is the exception.
In eight countries, on average, 55 percent of respondents support the legalization of adult-use marijuana, while 25 percent are opposed. 18% said they were unsure. When asked specifically whether they supported certain forms of marijuana accessibility, 48 percent said yes. 35 percent said no.
Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
The first time that Marijuana Moment published the post Malta Issues EU’s First Licenses Permitting Nonprofit ‘Cannabis associations’ to Begin Growing Marijuana , it was on Malta Issues EU’s First Licences Permitting Nonprofit ‘Cannabis Associations’ To Start Growing Marijuana .
