Cannabis legalization in Switzerland: Siegenthaler initiative sets milestone

When we talk about cannabis legalization in Switzerland, we always have something new to report. We are happy to tell you about the milestones for cannabis regulation in Switzerland. The Siegenthaler Initiative has just set a new milestone for the Swiss hemp population.

Swiss hemp policy has taken another important step forward. The country is finally moving toward comprehensive cannabis regulation. The latest decision by the National Council’s Health Commission (SGK-N) indicates that it will proceed with the Cannabis Act to regulate the market and submit it to the consultation process. Does this mean that the bill will now be analyzed and further developed through a broader discussion? Yes!—That is exactly what it means, because this is not a restart of the initiative, but rather a continuation of the regular political process that has been several years in the making. The committee deliberately took its time to thoroughly consider various political and social concerns.

Significance of the decision

This decision paves the way for the controlled release and regulation of non-medical cannabis. The focus here is on: – Youth and consumer protection – Controlled sale instead of a black market – Clear quality assurance and standards. The political debate on legalization has steadily intensified in recent decades, most recently with the Siegenthaler Initiative. Now, for the first time, there is a concrete legal framework that makes regulation appear realistic.

The parliamentary initiative process and current status

Siegenthaler’s parliamentary initiative (20.473) was originally submitted in 2020 with the aim of establishing controlled regulation of the cannabis market.

The process of such a political initiative is clearly structured:

1. submission and preliminary examination: The initiative was submitted and examined by the responsible health committee (SGK-N).

2. initial decision of the Commission: The Commission decided to accept the initiative and commissioned the preparation of a draft law.

3. detailed consultation and deadlines: Normally, the Commission has two years to draw up a bill – in this case, however, this deadline was fully utilized due to the complexity and large number of issues.

4th consultation procedure: The law is now entering the next phase; experts, associations and other stakeholders can now comment.

5 Parliamentary consultation: The consultation process is followed by the consultation and vote in Parliament.

! It is important to note that this is not a ‘reopening’ of the initiative, but rather a continuation of the regular parliamentary process that many have been waiting for. The current decision by the Health Commission is therefore just another logical step in this process.

Cannabis legalization in SwitzerlandConnection to the Siegenthaler initiative

The initiative was a major impetus for this development. The aim of the development is to create regulation that protects consumers and reduces the illegal market in equal measure.

Our previous blog articles (blog article1, blog article2) have already highlighted the fact that this can bring benefits not only from a health policy perspective, but also from an economic perspective.

Current developments show that policymakers are continuing to pursue this course—an important milestone for cannabis regulation in Switzerland. But – and we think this is important to communicate clearly: The way the current bill is drafted, we see some areas that urgently need to be reconsidered, otherwise we see the overarching objectives of the parliamentary initiative at risk.

Herba di Berna’s assessment of cannabis legalization in Switzerland

As a specialist store for hemp products, we expressly welcome this legislative development. We are committed to a regulated market with high quality standards that takes into account both the protection of consumers and the development of the industry. We consider a state monopoly on the sale of products containing THC to be unrealistic in order to achieve the goals of the Siegenthaler parliamentary initiative. The fight against the black market will only succeed if prices are competitive. Whether this can be achieved by state sales outlets and bodies that are not directly exposed to market activity is more than questionable.

A well thought-out and practicable regulatory system can be the key to a sustainable solution. The balance between state control and private sector flexibility remains crucial and is a challenge that we must face together as an industry.

Another important point of criticism from the perspective of Herba di Berna AG is the retention of cannabis in the Narcotics Act. With the current proposal, NO reassessment would take place. Cannabis would continue to be regulated by the Narcotics Act, which in our view could be legally implemented differently.

We’ll stay on top of this and keep you updated on further developments!
Sources: Comprehensive Regulation of Cannabis
SRF video: Tagesschau – Switzerland: Will cannabis soon be legal to consume? – Play SRF
SRF Report: Cannabis: National Council Commission Wants to Legalize Use in Switzerland – News – SRF
Additional Links: TeleBärn Report: Legalization of Cannabis | Tele1
Press Release from the Greens: Cannabis Legalization: A Historic Step Thanks to the Greens – Greens Switzerland
National Commission: Cannabis Legalization Clears a Major Hurdle in Switzerland
Watson: Cannabis Legalization in Switzerland: It Could Happen by 2027
AdminBE: Federal Popular Initiative ‘Cannabis Legalization: Opportunities for the Economy, Health, and Equality’