Is Weed Legal in Malta?

Recreational and medical marijuana are legal in Malta under tightly drawn rules. Malta became the first EU member state to legalize personal adult-use cannabis when Bill 241 passed in December 2021, creating Chapter 628 of the Laws of Malta and establishing the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC).

Adults 18 and over may carry up to 7 grams in public, store up to 50 grams at home, and cultivate up to four plants per household with a yield cap of 50 grams of dried flower. Public consumption is prohibited, and smoking within sight of a minor triggers a EUR 235 fine. Commercial sale is not authorized; supply runs through non-profit Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations (CHRAs) licensed by ARUC, each capped at 500 members and 7 grams per member per day with a 50-gram monthly ceiling. Medical cannabis flows through a separate route under the Drug Dependence (Treatment not Imprisonment) Act and Medicines Authority guidance, with specialist prescriptions filled at licensed pharmacies.

Driving under the influence, distribution outside a CHRA, and sales to minors carry significant penalties. Parliament tightened odour-nuisance rules in 2025, signaling that the model continues to evolve.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.