The Maltese government is set to introduce a series of changes to the country's cannabis laws, aimed at strengthening enforcement, clarifying legal definitions, and providing more clarity for everyone involved, from regulators to cannabis associations.
Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg announced the proposed amendments during the second reading of the reform bill in Parliament, emphasizing the government's commitment to reducing harm and ensuring responsible use.
A major change proposed in the bill is the shift in how offenses committed by cannabis associations will be handled. Under the new legislation, these offences will no longer be dealt with by the Commissioner for Justice tribunal, but will instead be referred to the Magistrates' Court. This move signals the government's intention to treat such offenses with greater seriousness. However, Buttigieg assured that individual cannabis users would not be affected by this shift in legal processes.
One of the most significant aspects of the bill is the clarification of what constitutes cannabis under Maltese law. The revised definition will now explicitly include both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), while non-psychoactive cannabinoids containing less than 0.2% THC will be excluded. This change aims to close any potential loopholes that could allow synthetic or semi-synthetic substances, such as HHC (hexahydrocannabinol), to bypass regulation and enter the market.
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