Is possession of a small amount of cannabis a criminal offence in Malta?

Malta has reformed its approach to cannabis in recent years through the Cannabis Authority framework, which decriminalised possession of certain small, defined quantities for personal use by adults, meaning that possession strictly within those specific legal thresholds generally no longer results in a criminal record in the way it previously did, though it can still lead to administrative consequences or referral processes depending on the exact quantity and circumstances. However, the legal thresholds involved are specific and exceeding them, or circumstances suggesting the substance was intended for supply rather than genuinely personal use, can still bring the matter back within the scope of criminal offences under drug-related legislation connected to the Criminal Code, Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta, meaning the outcome in your specific case depends heavily on the exact quantity found and how the circumstances of the stop are characterised by police. Given how much the outcome can turn on the precise quantity and framing of the incident, it is important to get proper legal advice quickly to understand whether your situation falls within the decriminalised threshold or is being treated as a more serious matter, and to ensure your rights are properly protected in any further process.