Switzerland: parliamentary committees give the green light to cannabis legalization

After the National Council Committee last May, the Social Security and Health Committee of the Council of States (SGK-S) voted on Tuesday, October 19, in favor of legalizing cannabis in Switzerland. The decision was made by a vote of 9 to 2.

The Social Security and Health Committee of the Council of States said that cannabis should be regulated in Switzerland in order to control the «cannabis market and better protect young people and consumers.».

The SGK-S’s goal is to eliminate the black market for cannabis in Switzerland. A bill will now be drafted by the Swiss Parliament. However, the legalization of cannabis in Switzerland is expected to take several more years. Once the bill has been drafted, a broad public consultation process will need to be launched. The Federal Council could take a position on the matter before Parliament takes it up, and then the public could vote on it in the event of a referendum.

The launch of pilot legalization projects, which are expected to soon begin legally distributing cannabis in limited quantities, ...took more than 5 years, with plenty of twists and turns.

However, the legalization of cannabis enjoys support across the entire Swiss political spectrum, with 40 members of the National Council having signed the initiative. Although Switzerland has already effectively decriminalized possession of up to 10 grams, the movement in favor of legalization is gaining momentum, with Two-thirds of Swiss People Support Legalization.

In addition to combating the black market, protecting minors, and promoting prevention, the bill will need to define how Swiss citizens will be able to grow and produce cannabis for personal use, as well as address issues related to taxation and advertising.