A demonstration for cannabis law reform is planned for next week and more than 400 people are expected to attend.
They are calling for decriminalisation and eventual legalisation of the illegal substance.
Organisers from the Facebook group “Legalise It Malta” say the peaceful protest is partly a response to a series of exaggerated judgements given in cannabis cases.
“Probably the climax was the Daniel Holmes case,” says lead organiser David Caruana, 29, referring to a case last month where a 34-year-old father was jailed for almost 11 years after admitting to growing and trafficking marijuana.
Some 1,400 people have signed an online petition to free Mr Holmes, describing his sentence as too harsh.
Although he was the first to sign the petition, Mr Caruana says next week’s demonstration is intended to spark a general discussion on cannabis laws and not one about Mr Holmes.
The group has welcomed the government’s recently announced plans to ensure that first-time offenders caught with drugs for personal use are given a formal warning rather than being prosecuted in court.
This, Mr Caruana says, is partial decriminalisation by another name, and is a “move in the right direction”.
Although the group is united in favour of decriminalisation of cannabis, Mr Caruana says he and many others believe in full legalisation and regulation of the substance.
Among other things, this would open up cannabis to full scientific study about its medicinal and therapeutic value.
It would also take the substance away from drug dealers and into licensed outlets while liberalising the industrial use of hemp, a mild strain of cannabis which is known for its many uses.
The event, which is being promoted online, will be held in Valletta on December 17.
Attendees are asked to wear green clothing and to bring posters expressing why they are in favour of decriminalisation or legalisation.
However, they are warned not to bring any illegal substances: “Possession of cannabis is still a crime in Malta. We strongly advise everyone to abide by the law of the country during this demonstration.”
Mr Caruana stresses that attendees will not be incriminating themselves as smokers of marijuana, just as participating in a protest against racism or in favour of gay rights does not make you a victim of racism or a gay person.
“This demonstration is not about ‘I smoke weed’ but about ‘I believe cannabis use is not a crime’ – it’s a political statement and people should not be afraid to express their political ideas.
“That’s what a real democracy is all about. No one can harm you for expressing your opinion.”
Mr Caruana assures that the event will be organised according to the law and the group will be applying for a police permit.