Swiss cannabis legalization moves forward with comprehensive regulation
Investing.com -- The Swiss National Council's Social Security and Health Committee (SGK-N) has proposed a draft for a federal law that seeks to regulate the cultivation, production, trade, and consumption of cannabis for non-medical purposes. The proposal was adopted with 14 votes in favor, 9 against, and 2 abstentions.
The proposal maintains that cannabis should continue to be considered a narcotic due to its potential health risks. However, it also recognizes that cannabis consumption is a social reality and that the current prohibitive approach is not effective in controlling its use. The proposed legislation aims to protect public health, strengthen youth protection, and increase safety by regulating access to cannabis and curbing the illegal market.
Under the proposed law, adults living in Switzerland would be allowed to grow, buy, possess, and consume cannabis under certain conditions. The sale or distribution of cannabis to minors would remain prohibited. Personal cultivation would be limited to a maximum of three female plants in the flowering phase.
Strict requirements would be put in place for commercial production, including the need for a permit from the federal government. Cannabis products would have to meet quality standards and be packaged in a child-proof manner. The law would also prohibit organizations from producing and selling cannabis simultaneously, a practice known as vertical integration.
The proposed law would also establish a state monopoly on the sale of cannabis products. Sales could only be made through a limited number of licensed outlets and a single licensed online retailer. Profits from these sales would be invested in prevention, harm reduction, and addiction support initiatives.
Cannabis products would be subject to a tax, the revenue from which would be redistributed via health insurance after federal enforcement costs are deducted. The cantons, or Swiss states, could also levy a supervisory tax and fees.
The cantons would continue to play a crucial role in enforcement, focusing on youth education, advice, and prevention. They would also be responsible for monitoring product quality and sales.
The proposed law would maintain a zero-tolerance policy for cannabis consumption in road traffic. Those who evade the legal market would face stricter penalties than those currently in place.
The next step in the process is the preparation of an explanatory report on the preliminary draft. The Commission plans to examine these documents in the summer, and interested parties and affected actors will then be given the opportunity to comment.
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