Switzerland: new initiative to legalize cannabis

A new initiative to legalize cannabis has been registered in Switzerland to the Federal Chancellery, marking the second attempt at change in this country in 10 years.

The new proposal suggests adding a paragraph to Article 105 of the Swiss Constitution (originally on alcohol) to legalize the production and consumption of cannabis for personal use. It also recommends that its sale be regulated and taxed by the Confederation.

A 2008 referendum «for a sensible hemp policy that effectively protects young people» had already sought to make cannabis legal, but failed. The proposals at the time did not suggest that the government could collect taxes on it.

The new plan also stipulates that cannabis remains illegal for minors, whereas previous proposals did not include such restrictions by name.

Group representative Legalize It behind the proposal, Nine Forrer, told the Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger «Cannabis prohibition is bad from a social point of view, bad from a legal point of view and just plain stupid from an economic point of view.»

The group also argues that the change would dry up the cannabis black market.

From controlled cannabis sales pilot projects are already underway in 4 Swiss cities, and are now awaiting approval from the Swiss government.

Another plan is to test the sale of cannabis in pharmacies in the Swiss capital.

Switzerland has criminalized cannabis consumption. An adult caught using cannabis can avoid criminal prosecution by paying a fine of 100 Swiss francs (€92), if he or she is carrying less than 10g. Some cantons are very flexible on the possession of cannabis for personal use, while others are very restrictive.