Switzerland: Towards the implementation of pilot projects?

Another dramatic turn of events for the Pilot projects on cannabis regulation in Switzerland. The National Council supported the Federal Council, and, after three years of heated discussions, the pilot period is expected to be approved.

The goal of this project is to allow a specific number of participants to use recreational cannabis in participating cities, and thereby assess the impact of cannabis on their lives as well as on the black market. Young people and adults with substance use disorders would thus be able to use cannabis legally and under state supervision. Participants will be closely monitored, and changes in their health status will be continuously tracked.

Alain Berset, a member of the Swiss Federal Council, states, «This is not about legalizing cannabis, but about allowing research.».

A long-term project

The idea of pilot projects to study cannabis use in Switzerland is not a new one. In fact, as early as 2016, 4 cities (Zurich, Bern, Basel, and Geneva) had volunteered to host this pilot program. In September 2017, 2 new cities, Biel and Lucerne had also expressed interest, demonstrating the openness of Swiss municipalities on the issue of cannabis. However, The project had been brought to a sudden halt by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) just two months later. In early 2018, Yet the project has resurfaced thanks to the Council of States, which approves the establishment of test zones, but which However, he opposes the idea of implementing the regulation quickly, preferring to take their time to review the matter and put it to a vote. In June 2018, the vote took place, and rejects the motion by a vote of 96 to 93, asking for more time and proposing in July to relaunch the project in putting it out for public comment until October 25. Since then, the situation had not changed, even though it was known that Parliament was to vote on the matter on the issue in 2019.

That has now been done, since the Public Health Committee of the In early July, the National Council backed the Federal Council.

However, we shouldn’t claim victory too soon. The Commission has requested a report from the administration on youth protection regarding cannabis use and has decided to postpone its vote until it receives the report. The eligibility requirements for participating in this project will also be strict. Some would like to require participants to surrender their driver’s licenses for the duration of the study. Others want employers and schools to be informed of participants’ involvement in the research, which could discourage potential participants.

The Commission has not provided a date for the completion of the report.