Malta Welcomes Its First Legal Cannabis Club
On January 30, Malta’s Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC) announced the opening of the country’s first legal cannabis club, named KDD Society. This marks a significant milestone for cannabis enthusiasts in Malta, as the club is the first of its kind to operate legally under the new regulations.
KDD Society Begins Legal Cannabis Distribution
In October 2023, KDD Society received its government license, allowing the organization to legally cultivate cannabis. The staff planted cannabis in the fall, harvested the buds in January, and produced marijuana that successfully passed laboratory testing for:
- Cannabinoid content
- Bacteria and mold
- Mycotoxins produced by microscopic fungi
- Heavy metals
- Water content
ARUC specialists found no harmful microorganisms or chemical compounds in the cannabis products and approved them for legal distribution. As a result, KDD Society is now authorized to distribute marijuana legally in Malta.
Membership and Legal Framework
According to Malta’s recreational cannabis legalization law, only Maltese citizens can join cannabis clubs. In exchange for membership fees, members are allowed to receive up to 7 grams of marijuana per day and up to 50 grams per month. Cannabis grower associations are subject to a 15% income tax, as well as annual fees ranging from €1,000 to €26,000, depending on the number of registered members.
Expansion of Cannabis Clubs in Malta
The ARUC website states that, in addition to KDD Society, five more organizations have received permits to operate. This means the number of legal cannabis clubs in Malta is expected to grow, provided their products pass quality checks.
Kenneth Ellul, the 27-year-old president of KDD Society, called cannabis sales “the best job in the world” and thanked the government for legalizing marijuana. He decided to lead the cannabis growers’ association after experiencing the healing properties of cannabis, which helped him overcome symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Production and Impact
According to Ellul, KDD Society cultivates about 200 cannabis plants, and the harvested crop is enough to supply marijuana to up to 250 people. He believes that cannabis clubs offer a good alternative to the black market, where participants often promote hard drugs to increase profits.
Ellul expressed his satisfaction with the outcome: “The licensing process was difficult and stressful. We had to go through strict inspections, but it was worth it—I feel great.”