Switzerland: Parliament supports cannabis legalization pilot projects but says no to rapid regulation

Switzerland is currently examining the implementation of pilot projects for the legalization of cannabis. experiments in controlled cannabis distribution, limited in time and confined to certain cities.

The latest development: the Health Committee of the National Council, the equivalent of our National Assembly, has adopted by 12 votes to 11 the motion 17.4210 «Studies on the controlled delivery of cannabis. Create an article on pilot projects».

The Federal Council had already proposed accepting the motion last February. The Federal Council has now been instructed to submit an amendment to the Narcotics Law to Parliament as soon as possible, introducing an «article on pilot projects», so that they can be implemented rapidly.

Two other proposals were also on the table. On the one hand, the motion «Medical prescription of cannabis for the chronically ill. Reducing bureaucracy and healthcare costs», which facilitates the medical use of cannabinoids, was passed by 21 votes to 0, with 3 abstentions.

On the other, the 17.440 «Elaboration of a federal law on hemp», tabled by the Greens, was rejected by 14 votes to 11. The proposal was to introduce comprehensive regulation of hemp and legalize its use by adults. The majority view was that we should wait for the results of pilot projects involving controlled cannabis distribution before going any further. The minority, on the other hand, believes that it is high time to legalize, a reform that would provide greater protection for young people and more effectively combat the black market.