CBD Products Removed From Bolt And Wolt Amid Maltese Cannabis Delivery Crackdown
Delivery services have been notified by Maltese police that they will face criminal action if they continue to deliver certain products sold in cannabis shops around Malta.
Popular services like Wolt and Bolt have since removed a number of products, including products like CBD gummies, from being delivered.
Lovin Malta reported back in June 2022 that people could buy a range of products, from soil nutrients to tents from these online apps. Unfortunately, this will then be followed up by raids in shops in November – with products being confiscated by police under the pretense that they contain high levels of THC, even though shop owners have documented proof they do not.
Now, shop owners have now been left incensed after being led to believe that they could operate safely yet continue to face threats of criminal action from authorities.
“Months away from cannabis dispensaries finally giving a safe way to purchase THC cannabis and we are still punishing stores for providing CBD products for those who just want the benefits without the THC high,” one store owner told Lovin Malta.
“Two years later, we are still having the same issues. The law needs to be changed, it is not very clear what can and can’t be sold.”
They pointed out the absurdity of the latest police action, with products containing HHC (a psychoactive product) still available online as Maltese regulations are still vague and seemingly not made with the correct expert analysis.
The issue stems from two points – whether the product contains less than 0.2% THC – and whether a product is a technical “part of the cannabis plant” or a “cannabinoid product”, with the former being not allowed.
“As we all know, these packaged products which are totally legal to sell, were all packaged correctly coming from a facility that works to have it under the 0.2% THC level specifically. Be it drinks, creams, whatever…”
“It’s the law that needs adjusting; we aren’t doing anything wrong and everyone’s tired of it.”
CBD
In an email sent to courier services, Keith Arnaud, Police Superintendent of the Homicide and Drugs Squad, warned stores they faced criminal actions if they continued to sell certain products.
Find the email verbatim below:
“Good morning. The Malta Drug Squad is aware that your company is accepting the delivering of orders containing illegal (drug related) items which are in brech of the Drugs Ordinance, Chapter 105, of the Laws of Malta. These are items portrayed to be cannabinaoid products, which although the labeling might say that the level of THC is less than 0.2%, the item in itself is part of the plant cannabis, and therefore is NOT a cannabinoid product, meaning that it is ILLEGAL. Furthermore, the pre-rolled joins are also illegal and CANNOT be sold.”
“As a matter of fact, the Malta Police has so far inspected a number of retail outlets from which it seized all illegal items and has also taken criminal actions against all offenders.”
“May I remind you that the Malta Police will take criminal action against any representative of yours (driver/delivery person) if found in possession of such illegal items.”
Speaking to Lovin Malta, Leonid McKay, head of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis, emphasised the 0.2% THC level.
“The legislative reforms adopted in December 2021 brought about widespread changes in the legal status of all products made with the cannabis plant. The distribution of products with more than 0.2% THC may only be done by non-profit associations regulated by this Authority, whilst products with inferior THC levels are now no longer considered as controlled substances under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.”
“The Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis has provided its feedback in ongoing discussions between different Government entities about the most appropriate means to regulate these products, which will lead to the implementation of another aspect of this recent legislative reform.”
What do you make of this sudden crackdown on CBD and non-THC products in Malta?
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