In December 2021, Malta became the first European nation to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. The only other countries on the planet to adopt a national legalization measure before Malta were Uruguay in 2013 and Canada in 2018. Nearly five years after Malta modernized its cannabis laws, a lawmaker is calling for an independent review.
“Labour MP Mariah Meli has called for an independent, evidence-based evaluation of Malta’s cannabis legislation, saying concerns raised by residents about the impact of the reform on communities should be heard and addressed.” Malta Today wrote in its local reporting. “Meli said issues including cannabis odours and the location of cannabis-related premises close to homes and families needed to be examined in a “balanced manner”.”
“I believe the time has come for an independent, evidence-based evaluation of the 2021 responsible cannabis-use reform and its impact on health, young people, safety, and residents,” Meli said, according to the outlet.
Malta’s adult-use cannabis legalization model involves permitting people 18 years old and older to cultivate up to four plants in their private residences and possess up to 50 grams of cannabis for personal use.
National recreational cannabis sales are not permitted in Malta due to current European Union agreements that prohibit national adult-use commerce. However, adults in Malta can join one of the nation’s licensed cultivation associations and source cannabis legally.
As of the start of 2026, Malta has experienced an over 80% reduction in cannabis court cases related to simple cannabis possession post-legalization, significantly lessening the burden on the nation’s criminal justice system. Malta is a great real-time example of what happens, and doesn’t happen, when a country adopts national cannabis legalization.
“Malta has one of the lowest rates of cannabis use among young people in Europe, according to new EU data.” Lovin Malta reported last July. “Just 1.2% of people aged between 15 and 34 in Malta reported using cannabis in the past year, placing the country among the lowest in the European Union.”
“The figure stands in stark contrast to countries like Italy, where 21.5% of young adults said they had used cannabis over the same period, meaning more than one in five people in that age group.” the outlet also reported. It is worth noting that Italy has yet to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure.
