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| Malta becomes first EU nation to legalise cannabis | Malta becomes first EU nation to legalise cannabis |
| (4 months later) | |
| Supporters of the bill celebrated outside Malta's Parliament House on Tuesday | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | You may be interested in watching: |
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| Meet the cannabis chef leading a culinary revolution | Meet the cannabis chef leading a culinary revolution |
| Meet the cannabis chef leading a culinary revolution | Meet the cannabis chef leading a culinary revolution |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Cannabis | Cannabis |
| Drug use | Drug use |
| Malta | |
| Legality of cannabis | Legality of cannabis |