In EU First, Legal Cannabis in Malta

Home | Canna Law Blog | In EU First, Legal Cannabis in Malta Table of Contents Toggle With the approval of the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis Act (the "Act"), legal cannabis in Malta has arrived. The Mediterranean island nation is the first in the European Union to legalize adult-use cannabis. Medical cannabis has been legal in Malta since 2018. 1. What Is Now Legal? The Act permits the cultivation of up to four cannabis plants. It also allows possession of not more than 50 grams of dried cannabis for personal use, by a person at their residence. Cultivation shall not occur in a space visible to the public. In public, possession of up to seven grams is not considered an offense, provided it is "reasonably deemed" that the cannabis is for personal use. In addition, the Act allows the establishment of cannabis clubs. These venues may dispense up to seven grams of cannabis per day to a single member (and up to 50 grams in a calendar month). 2. Are There Still Any Restrictions? Cannabis is now legal in Malta, but this is subject to certain important limitations. The use of cannabis in public (other than for medical purposes), is punishable by a €235 (~$265) fine. The possession of any amount of cannabis by a person under 18 is also illegal. Whether in public or not, using cannabis in the presence of persons under 18 is punishable by a fine of between €300 and €500 (~$338-$563). 3. Who Will Regulate Cannabis in Malta? The Act establishes the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis (the "Authority"), which, among other duties, is tasked with acting as the cannabis regulator. 4. With Legal Cannabis in Malta, What's Next? Parliament's historic vote allowed Malta to edge out Luxembourg, but it is expected that the latter will soon become the second European country to legalize cannabis. With Germany, the most populous country in the EU, poised to legalize adult-use cannabis soon as well, we are likely witnessing a breaking point. It is reasonable to expect that, in ten years' time, Western European countries without legal cannabis will be the exception. Need Help With Cannabis Law in the European Union? Contact Us Check Out Our Cannabis Law Services Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn E-mail Comment Fred Rocafort Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property practice and is the coordinator of the firm’s international team. Much of Fred’s practice consists of helping cannabis businesses protect their brands. He also works with entrepreneurs and companies entering the Web3 space, a new frontier for IP law. Prior to joining Harris Sliwoski, Fred worked overseas for more than a decade, in both government and private sector roles. Fred is a regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and Canna Law Blog. Fred began his career overseas as a U.S. consular officer in Guangzhou, China, where he advocated for fairer treatment of American companies and citizens in China and for stronger intellectual property rights enforcement. After entering the private sector, Fred worked at a Shanghai law firm as a foreign legal advisor and later joined one of the oldest American law firms in China, helping foreign companies navigate the Chinese legal environment. He also led the legal team at a Hong Kong-based brand protection consultancy, spending most of his time out in the field, protecting clients against counterfeiters and fraudsters in Greater China, Southeast Asia and Latin America. In addition to his IP work, as a native Spanish speaker, Fred works closely with different Harris Sliwoski teams on Latin America and Spain matters. Fred also provides advice to cannabis industry participants and other businesses on import and export transactions. Fred is an ardent supporter of FC Barcelona—and would be even in the absence of Catalan forebears who immigrated to Puerto Rico in the mid-1800s. Harris Sliwoski Attorney Read more posts [email protected] Read More International Cannabis Law, Recreational Marijuana Related Posts September 25, 2026 DEA Enforcement in a Changing Cannabis Landscape: Rescheduling, Hemp, and What Comes Next September 17, 2026 The Supreme Court May Decide if Cannabis-Related Residency Requirements are Unconstitutional September 16, 2026 A $31.8 Million Cannabis-Related Verdict That a Federal Court Wouldn’t Enforce September 15, 2026 Jason Adelstone Moderates Federal Cannabis Policy Discussion at IgniteIt Denver September 11, 2026 Medical Marijuana in Schedule III Survives Its First Major Challenge September 10, 2026 How to Acquire a Colorado Cannabis License September 4, 2026 The Intoxicating Hemp Products Ban Was Delayed a Month. Now What? August 31, 2026 Is the Global Shift to the Right Threatening International Cannabis Reforms? August 28, 2026 Oregon Cannabis Roundup: Fall 2026 August 26, 2026 Five Bills Every California Cannabis Operator Needs to Track in 2026 August 14, 2026 California Cannabis Contracts After Rescheduling: Why Your Contracts Need a Second Look August 4, 2026 DCC License Conversions After Rescheduling: How and When to Split A/M Licenses in California August 3, 2026 The Contradictions of Cannabis Law: From the United States to International Treaties July 28, 2026 What California Operators Must Do After Rescheduling: DEA Registration, License Restructuring, and 280E July 24, 2026 Medical Marijuana Schedule III Litigation: The D.C. Circuit's First Major Test Leave a comment Cancel reply