Cannabis in Switzerland – Is it time for legalization?

Time for legal cannabis in Switzerland? Swiss authorities think so. Last year they changed the federal narcotics law, allowing pilot trials to legalize cannabis. Unlike the American states like Colorado or even places like Canada, there will not be widespread legalization just yet. The Swiss authorities are running this trial program with 400 volunteers. These volunteers are already cannabis users.

Cannabis is illegal in Switzerland, but authorities will tolerate small amounts with a $100 fine. Hemp is 100% legal.

Justifying the legalization of cannabis in Switzerland

The Swiss authorities will control the cannabis used for the pilot. It must be organic, made in Switzerland, contain no more than 20% THC and come from a pharmacy. Like the Canadian legal system, the Swiss have a zero-tolerance approach to marketing and advertising.

And like Canada, the Swiss are eyeing legalization for nonsensical reasons. Legalizing cannabis in Switzerland is ethical because people everywhere have a right to their own bodies. However, according to the Federal Office of Public Health, “the black market is flourishing, the safety of users is not guaranteed”. Therefore, they need to legalize cannabis to protect people from themselves.

Details of the pilot test

The pilot test will take place in the city of Basel. Volunteers can legally buy cannabis from a pharmacy. The cannabis is grown by Pure Holding AG, a Swiss company with a legal exemption. The researchers will also regularly survey the volunteers about their consumption habits and mental health. The authorities and researchers consist of the Swiss government, the University of Basel and the University of Psychiatry.

They expect the pilot to run for 2 1/2 years.

Volunteers have access to four different strains of cannabis and two types of hash. Ten pharmacies were selected in Basel to dispense the products. The Swiss authorities will set prices between $8 and $12 per gram, depending on the THC content.

The road to Swiss legalization

So when will legal cannabis become a thing in Switzerland?

Switzerland already has a heroin supply program. The Swiss introduced the program in 1994. It has successfully changed the perception of heroin addiction from a criminal act to a mental health issue. The goals for the cannabis trial are different, however, as the pilot aims to test the waters of a broader legalization effort.

An estimated 55% of Europeans support legal recreational cannabis.

Don’t you think that’s a great step? Wouldn’t it be great if you could enjoy your travel in Switzerland while smoking cannabis freely? Please share your comments and don’t forget to follow us @cannalifenet!