This summer, you may be planning to travel to Malta, or perhaps you live there. Although the island has a unique legal framework for cannabis, not everything is allowed. This guide will help you understand what's allowed and what's not.
From decriminalization to controlled legalization
Today, Malta is a pioneer in Europe when it comes to cannabis legislation. The island reached a historic milestone in 2021 by becoming the first European Union member state to legalize the personal use of cannabis.
It all began in 2015, with an initial decriminalization of possession of small quantities. Then, in 2018, Malta officially authorized the medical use of cannabis under certain conditions. At this stage, only patients with a valid prescription, issued by a healthcare professional licensed in Malta can legally access cannabis-based products.
The real revolution comes in December 2021 when the law changes radically. Malta legalizes personal possession of cannabis up to 7 grams, authorizes home cultivation of up to 4 plants per household, and allows the storage of up to 50 grams at home.
This same law created the ARUC(Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis), a body responsible for regulating new practices, assessing risks and issuing licenses to cannabis social clubs. The aim was clear: the government wanted to regulate use rather than repress it.
What you can do... and what you can't do
Although Malta has paved the way, not everything is permitted. The law remains precise and strictly regulates possession, use and cultivation. Here's what you're allowed to do today if you're over 18.
You can :
- Possess up to 7 grams of cannabis on your person, without this constituting an offence.
- Grow up to 4 cannabis plants per household, provided they are not visible from the public highway.
- Store up to 50 grams of dried cannabis at home.
- Join a non-profit association (called a cannabis social club) that can supply you with up to 7 g per day and 50 g per month.
But beware, some limits are still very strict. For example, if you're caught with more than 7 g but less than 28 g, you won't face jail time, but you could be fined between €50 and €100.
It is also strictly forbidden to consume cannabis in public places. If you smoke in the street, in a park or on a beach, you risk a fine of €235. And if minors are present in the immediate vicinity, this fine can rise to €500.
The presence of minors is a crucial point in Maltese law: you can't consume cannabis in the presence of a minor, even if you're at home. And the law doesn't tolerate any excesses: if you grow more than the permitted quantities or sell, you're out of the legal framework and expose yourself to criminal sanctions.
Cannabis Social Clubs: how do they work in Malta?
In Malta, as in Spain, there are Cannabis Social Clubs. These are non-profit associations. They can grow cannabis on behalf of their members, and distribute the harvest under certain conditions.
The criteria for Maltese clubs are as follows:
- Each club must be licensed by the CURA.
- It cannot be located within 250 meters of a school or juvenile facility.
- Membership is limited to 500 people.
- A member may receive up to 7 g per day, but no more than 50 g per month.
- You can also get seeds to grow at home.
Clubs are subject to regular inspections. They must declare their production volumes, keep strict records and comply with health standards. All this is monitored by the CURA, which acts as a control and mediation authority.
This system aims to offer an alternative to the black market, while regulating consumption by regular users.
Strengthening the legal framework and combating aberrations in 2025
In May 2025, the Maltese Parliament unanimously adopted several important amendments to the 2021 law.
Firstly, the text clarifies what legal legal cannabisincluding all derivatives containing more than 0.2% THC. Synthetic cannabinoids, such as HHC, are now excluded from the legal framework.
Secondly, sanctions have been revised to better combat abuse. If a club breaks the law by distributing too much, accepting minors, or cultivating without authorization, for example, it will now be judged by a tribunal of magistrates, enabling faster prosecution.
Fines can reach up to €10,000, and even €50,000 if the court considers that the offence has generated illicit profits or endangered minors.
Finally, the CURA is stepping up its controls. It has set up a toll-free number for citizens to report nuisances or infringements. Additional inspectors have been hired, and awareness-raising campaigns are underway in the neighborhoods concerned.
Malta has not legalized cannabis the American way, by opening coffee shops or boutiques. It has opted for a sober, controlled and socially supervised model that is even more progressive than that ofin Germany.