Police arrested a 30-year-old Xewkija resident after catching him growing cannabis plants at a field in Gozo. 

In a statement, police said the arrest followed “days of the surveillance” on a field in Xewkija that was being used to grow cannabis. 

“Police entered the field today and found around 55 cannabis plants of all sizes, as well as seeds and items related to the processing and eventual trafficking of drugs,” a police statement read.

“A man was arrested on-site, while investigations and searches in his residence revealed more items related to the processing of drugs.”

Malta partially legalised cannabis last year, allowing people to grow up to four plants at home.
The law also envisages the creation of cannabis associations, which will grow the plant and distribute it to its members, but the registration process for aspiring associations has yet to open.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg told Lovin Malta last month that the government’s plan is for the first cannabis associations to open by the end of the year.