Tag: Domestic Policy

The legalization of cannabis in Switzerland

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A step into the future

In recent decades, the debate about the legalization of cannabis in Switzerland has intensified. The Green Party actively campaigned for legalization 30 years ago. In their position paper, the Greens take a clear stance on what any legalization should look like. Members of the Green Party have been involved in the development of this groundbreaking paper through a constructive exchange with, among others, IG Hemp and other organizations, such as addiction associations. As a specialist store, we welcome this development and see it as an opportunity for a progressive and sensible drug policy in Switzerland.

The new position paper of the Green Group

After decades of political commitment and social change, a new chapter in Swiss drug policy is about to begin thanks to the implementation of the Siegenthaler parliamentary initiative. The Greens place particular emphasis on health protection and prevention in order to reduce the negative effects of prohibition and at the same time tap into the social, medical and economic benefits of cannabis.

The proposed benchmarks for the regulation of cannabis use emphasize youth and health protection as well as the prevention of addiction. These include bans on advertising and sponsorship, sales only to adults, strict requirements for cultivation and product quality, and an earmarked prevention levy to finance addiction prevention and therapy services. The Greens advocate a moderate incentive tax and the introduction of statistical monitoring of cannabis consumption.

Politicians are called upon to approach cannabis use with more realism and less moralism. The Greens are committed to regulating cannabis use in the ongoing legislative process, with a focus on public health and finding a middle ground between an unregulated black market and an unregulated legal market.

The future of cannabis regulation in Switzerland therefore promises a change that will not only affect the way society perceives cannabis, but also minimize the impact on health, youth and the black market.

  • Find out more about the PI Siegenthaler initiative from September 2020 – here!
  • Position paper of the Green parliamentary group on cannabis legalization – here!

Herba di Berna’s position on legalization

As one of the leading companies in the hemp industry, Herba di Berna takes a differentiated position on the legalization of cannabis. While we support efforts to regulate the market and protect young people and consumers, we advocate dispensing in certified specialist stores, in addition to cannabis social clubs. We believe that state-run outlets could increase the risk of monopolies.

Furthermore, we consider the entry hurdle to be relatively high:

  • Personal data, consumer behavior and driving license situation must be provided.
  • We consider the idea of drying up the black market through state sales outlets to be wishful thinking.
  • The requirements and production standards will be high, which will inevitably have an impact on prices.
  • We advocate a regulated market with high production standards, similar to alcohol, which we believe can be managed by the private sector.

A differentiated view of the market

The legalization of cannabis in Switzerland is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but it is important to take a differentiated view of what is happening on the market. A regulated market characterized by competition and high standards will benefit both consumers and the industry in the long term.

What do you think; where do you want to buy your weed in the future?

The survey by the Swiss Hemp Association

directly to the survey

Cannabis and gastrointestinal tract

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Magen-Darm-Harmonie mit Cannabis unterstützen

The festive season is a feast of food and drink, from one meal to the next, from cookies to chocolate, mandarins and the festive roast. While we usually enjoy the winter festive season with vacations, celebrations and gluttony, our intestines have to work overtime. Cannabinoids can support our intestines in their daily functions and contribute to gastrointestinal harmony and well-being. Learn all about how cannabis and the gastrointestinal tract harmonize in this blog post.

The body as a habitat for viruses, fungi and bacteria

When our gastrointestinal system is exposed to various stresses such as stress, lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet and sweet and alcoholic drinks, the gut suffers. We are adaptable and also quite tough, as evidenced by the fact that modern homo sapiens can live on fast food, sweet drinks and overly spicy food for their entire lives. And yet the gut suffers in these moments of unhealthy food intake. For thousands of years, it has been common worldwide to take cannabis with food. And today we can use the latest technologies to specifically investigate what is going on in detail and provide relief for many people. The intestine shows clear reactions to overeating and does not suffer silently like the liver. The most common symptoms of an overloaded bowel are diarrhea, nausea and constipation, and many of us are very familiar with the recommended remedies. In addition to hemp, countless home remedies, chemical preparations and therapeutic approaches are circulating for a healthy start to the New Year, all of which are aimed at balancing the so-called “gut microbiome*”. This refers to bacteria and fungi as well as certain virus strains, the effects of which do not make us humans ill, but keep us vital. In the course of evolution, tiny creatures, i.e. various microorganisms, have colonized the gastrointestinal tract and form a symbiotic relationship that is beneficial for everyone involved. They support each other in digestion as well as in the absorption of nutrients that are essential for the survival of both humans and microorganisms. The influence of healthy intestinal flora on our nervous system has now been proven by science. Numerous farmer’s sayings support the saying: “You are what you eat”, and the effect of cannabis as a remedy is similarly widely confirmed in the laboratory.

* Definition: The microbiome is the totality of all microorganisms(bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi and protozoa) that colonize a macroorganism (human, animal, plant). Microbiomes can influence the immune system, the metabolism and the hormone system of their host.

Importance of the intestinal flora

Unlike toxic substances or supposedly magical remedies, cannabis binds to the organism via precisely fitting receptors. Yoghurt mixed with cannabinoids in the supermarket is still a dream of the future, but the intestinal flora can generally be stimulated by many foods or food supplements. There are countless products on the market that promote powerful microbial strains and feed them sufficiently so that unwanted pathogens quickly perish when they enter our bodies. The problem is that even the most expensive capsules, pills and tinctures barely make it to the intestinal flora if we continue with the sins of the modern lifestyle and disregard our gastrointestinal harmony.

You can find out exactly how and where cannabinoids affect our body in the previous blog post: https://www.herbadiberna.ch/starkes-immunsystem-durch-cbd-tropfen/

How hemp affects our gastrointestinal tract

While CB1 receptors are found in the brain, CB2 receptors are found in the intestine. Both are the so-called docking sites for cannabinoids in the hemp plant. A full-spectrum preparation influences these receptors and triggers a variety of positive effects in the body. Cannabinoids can activate anti-inflammatory processes via the gastrointestinal system, stimulate the immune system and also reduce stress levels.diseases such as multiple sclerosis could be treated by medical cannabis, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect and even affects a specific bacterium called “Akkermansia muciniphila”. (Source: Study by Charles M. Skinner)

Full spectrum CBD oil and hemp capsules to support the gastrointestinal tract

Research on therapeutic cannabis and gut flora is not yet as extensive as in other areas, but medical and therapeutic professionals are beginning to recommend it for certain treatments.The method of consumption affects the effect of cannabis on the gastrointestinal system; smoking or vaporizing works faster and more intensely, while oral ingestion may be better tolerated and have a longer effect.There are beneficial aspects of hemp products, but potential drug interactions and possible side effects must be considered. It is best to discuss this with a medical professional, as according to current research, cannabis can help with irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn or constant constipation in many cases without complications, but can sometimes have side effects. Prudent consumption is still the best choice when trying hemp for yourself, even for the gastrointestinal system, until research has clarified the situation.

Conclusion

When we indulge in culinary delights, our intestines work hard. Cannabis as a full-spectrum preparation can help to support our gut and its function, especially in the New Year after the Christmas feasts. Our digestive system is sensitive: stress, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet can affect it. The gut microbiome, consisting of bacteria, fungi and viruses, plays an essential role in our health and even influences our nervous system. Cannabinoids can have an anti-inflammatory effect via the CB2 receptors in the intestine, strengthen the immune system and reduce stress. Medical hemp shows promising approaches, especially for diseases such as multiple sclerosis. However, research into therapeutic cannabis and intestinal flora is still in its infancy. Although there are many benefits, interactions with medication and possible side effects must also be taken into account and clarified with medical professionals. Cannabis could be a natural alternative for gastrointestinal complaints, but it is also advisable to consult with specialists and stay up to date with the latest research.

Our recommendation for optimal gastrointestinal harmony

12% Full spectrum OIL
24% Full spectrum oil

Source: https://l1nq.com/ugfNr

Progress in the new regulation of the cannabis market

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At the end of September 2023, the National Council again expressed its support for the concerns of “PI Siegenthaler”. Parliament has approved an extension of the deadline needed to draft a new cannabis law. If things continue to go smoothly, the new regulation of the cannabis market (also called legalization 😉) could thus become a reality in just a few years.

PI Siegenthaler for a new regulation of the cannabis legislation
The Siegenthaler Parliamentary Initiative (PI) was submitted in September 2020 by Heinz Siegenthaler, a member of the Bern Center National Council.
The initiative calls for a new cannabis law that will one day provide the basis for a legal and regulated cannabis market in Switzerland.  
For more detailed info on PI Siegenthaler, see our blog post on the topic.

What was the National Council about?

Actually, the responsible commission should have prepared a legislative proposal by the end of 2023. However, the parliamentarians did not live up to this ambitious schedule. In order to ensure that all the work was not wasted and that a well-prepared and broadly supported law could be passed in the end, the subcommittee now requested an extension of the deadline until the fall session of 2025. “It is really important and right to do this work with enough time,” said Barbara Gysi (SP, head of the subcommittee).

A citizen minority has now tried to stop the reauthorization of cannabis legislation. Their plan: if the commission doesn’t have time to prepare a good law, there will be no law and the status quo will remain. “The initiative, as it turns out, is contrary to international law” opined SVP National Councilor Verena Herzog. In addition, legalization would seem to encourage young people to smoke pot, while it would not dry up the black market.

Voting results on deadline extension for new cannabis legislation.
Voting results from the National Council(parlament.ch)

Fortunately, this backward-looking polemic met with little success, and Parliament clearly favored an extension of the deadline, thus advocating for a new regulation of the cannabis market. 104 votes in favor (SP, Greens, GLP, a majority of the FDP, a minority of the center faction and even 3 votes from the SVP faction) were opposed by 69 votes against from the SVP, parts of the center and one third of the FDP.[1]

What does this mean for cannabis market re-regulation?

Of course, it would have been great if the subcommittee had not needed a deadline extension at all. However, as is well known, things rarely move that quickly in the Federal Republic of Germany. Therefore, it is overall very positive news that the National Council has spoken out with such clarity in favor of the new regulation of the cannabis market. If everything now goes like clockwork, legalization could actually become a reality as early as 2026. The year 2027 seems more realistic, as the SVP has already announced that it wants to bring the future cannabis law before the people with a referendum.

So for us it is still: Stay patient. However, the legalization plans in Germany, an increasingly pro-legalization population, and the empirical data generated by the pilot trials to date point to a bright future. More and more, the idea of a legal cannabis market with good youth and consumer protection and without an illegal black market seems to be taking root in people’s minds. And even if this were not to happen until 2027, Switzerland would at least not be left behind in an international comparison.

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Partial decriminalization: a regulatory jungle

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The last few weeks, a new ruling by the Federal Court has been the talk of the town. The highest court ruled that an unpunished amount of cannabis (<10g and exclusively for personal consumption) cannot be seized by the police. This is another step towards the decriminalization of cannabis. In principle, less criminalization of consumers is to be welcomed. At the same time, the discussion about this ruling also shows why legalizing cannabis would be better for all sides and much less chaotic.

The regulatory jungle of partial decriminalization

Possession of a small amount of cannabis for personal consumption (<10g) and preparatory acts for consumption have been exempt from punishment in Switzerland for quite some time. For a long time, however, this legal situation was ignored by the police and the public prosecutor’s office, and fines were blithely handed out. The argumentation of the authorities was usually that it was still an illegal substance. Further, it was clear that sooner or later there would be consumption (or suspicion of past consumption), which in turn would be illegal. It was not until a 2017 ruling by the Federal Supreme Court that this practice was put a stop to. Since then definitely applies (more or less consistently implemented): Small amount & preparatory acts are exempt from punishment, the consumption itself is illegal.

However, the Federal Supreme Court left one important question open in its 2017 ruling: What happens to the unpunished quantity after a police check? Previously, the cannabis was usually confiscated. Admittedly, the question of what to do with a non-punishable quantity of an illegal substance is not without its challenges. It is therefore very welcome that it has now also been stated clearly here that an unpunished quantity is unpunished and therefore may not be seized.

However, anyone who thought that the discussion about law enforcement powers was over for the time being is unfortunately wrong again. Only a short time after the ruling, it was noted with astonishment in many places that the ruling of the Federal Court can be applied not only to cannabis but also to “hard” drugs. However, the SSK (Swiss Conference of Prosecutors) disagreed with this assessment. In order to prevent a cantonal chaos with different handling, they have urged all authorities to stick to the previous practice for hard drugs, while for cannabis it is clear that the ruling must be followed. Furthermore, the SSK called on politicians to regulate this ambiguity by law.

It could also be simpler…

As good as it is for consumers to be less criminalized – the solution is not a clean one. Not surprising really: wanting something to be illegal and unpunished at the same time probably inevitably leads to problems. If cannabis were finally legalized, the way would be clear for sensible and adapted regulation of the market. Instead of an eternal cat and mouse game between police & dealers, resources could be put into effectively fighting the big players in the black market and into meaningful prevention work. To get ideas of what that would look like, we don’t even have to look that far. On the one hand, we have already gained a lot of experience with alcohol and tobacco on how to regulate individual substances in a targeted manner. Furthermore, there are – both from Switzerland and from countries with legalization experience – various clear findings that speak in favor of legalization. Until we’re finally ready, we’ll just have to settle for CBD products when in doubt….

Try our excellent CBD hash

SCRIPT: Pilot test in Bern, Biel & Lucerne

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Altstadtgasse in der Stadt Bern

In May 2023, the University of Bern’s cannabis pilot project was approved by the Federal Office of Public Health and the cantonal ethics committees concerned. Under the name “SCRIPT – The Safer Cannabis Research In Pharmacies randomized controlled Trial”, the health and social effects of regulated cannabis sales will be investigated in the cities of Bern, Biel and Lucerne. If everything goes smoothly, the trial will start this fall.

What are the pilot tests about?  The pilot projects are intended to provide scientific evidence for the discussion on possible cannabis legalization. You can read more about the history of the pilots here and in our latest update on the pilots.

How does the SCRIPT study work?

Once the trial begins, the first half of the approximately 1,000 participants will be able to legally purchase cannabis products at selected dispensaries in the cities of Bern, Biel and Lucerne. Offered in addition to the flowers are other products such as hash, liquids and oils – all neutrally packaged so as not to attract attention. The second half of the study participants may also legally purchase cannabis 6 months later. This randomized allocation is intended to maximize the power of the study by direct comparison.

Study data will be collected at six-month intervals during the approximately 2 years of the trial using questionnaires and interviews. The focus is on the impact of regulated cannabis sales on people’s consumption patterns and health. In addition to the large surveys, sales staff are also encouraged to engage in conversation with customers when selling study cannabis in order to capture an even more accurate picture of reality.

Participation in the pilot test

Registration for the SCRIPT study is scheduled to open in early summer 2023 for interested individuals residing in the Canton of Bern. People from the city of Lucerne will have to be patient until they can get to one of the 300 or so study places in their city in winter 23/24. As in all other pilot trials, the study is only open to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have a history of using cannabis in their daily lives.

Those admitted to the study will receive a study card that entitles them to purchase 10g of THC per month. During the first purchase, a detailed consultation should take place in order to present the various products to the customers in detail.

Question that arises: What happens if the police pull me over and I have study cannabis in my pocket? Again, the answer lies partly in the student ID card. Of course, since the authorities do not know who is participating in the study, study participants must be able to identify themselves in the event of police contact for carrying cannabis. The other conditions for an unmolested walk through the city: the original package must be unopened, because the products may not be consumed in public spaces, and the limits of max. 10g of cannabis flowers or hashish or a maximum of 2g of THC for liquids and oils may not be exceeded. Not particularly suitable for everyday use – but the study is still taking place in a time of repression…

Herba di Berna and the pilot tests

Even if we as Herba di Berna – despite our specialty store – cannot participate in the pilot test, we are basically pleased about the study. Finally, something is happening in Bern, too. Legalization preparation is approached scientifically. A regulated sales concept lays the groundwork for ensuring that legalization does not become a leap from the sharpie market to the Wild West. It is not about a few companies being allowed to take money out of everyone’s pockets and rake in fat profits. Instead, the focus is on sales by trained professionals to finally make high-quality products with clearly declared ingredients legally available to meet the real need of large segments of the population.
It is questionable whether we really need to carry out our own elaborate tests in advance instead of simply taking the empirical values of other countries to heart. But we have inevitably learned to practice patience and enjoy small steps.

Legal CBD products to bridge the waiting time

More info on the SCRIPT study: script-studie.ch

THC limit of 1% soon also applies to CBD cannabis resin

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It pays to keep at it. After interventions of the hemp industry, the Federal Council holds that also cannabis resin (pollinate) is regulated with the 1% limit. Cannabis resin containing less than one percent THC thus becomes a marketable product. The amendment is expected to take effect in the summer of 2022.

How it came to the change

Léonore Porchet, a member of the National Council from Wadtland, had submitted an interpellation to the Federal Council pointing out that even today cannabis resin is treated differently than, for example, flowers, cuttings, oil and tinctures. IG Hemp has already pointed out this unequal treatment in November 2021. This illogical “technical error” in the Narcotics Law was in contradiction to the handling recognized by the Federal Council itself, according to which only plants, parts of plants and preparations that have a total THC content of at least 1% are considered cannabis in the narcotics legal sense.

What changes

Specifically, the list of narcotics ordinance is now to be adjusted so that even in the case of cannabis resin, only products with at least 1% THC are considered narcotics. This is another step towards a coherent and uniform classification of cannabis products. It creates clarity and thus meets the demands of IG Hemp.
The amendment is expected to come into force in the summer of 2022, together with other amendments to the Narcotics(Medical Cannabis) Act.

Sources:
– IG Hemp: News from the Federal House
– Interpellation by Léonore Porchet

Is the legalization of THC now coming?

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There has been a lot happening in the cannabis legalization space in recent weeks. Legalization suddenly seems quite a bit more tangible – both in Switzerland and in Germany. What just happened, and what does it mean now?

In Switzerland, cannabis policy took a big step forward in the Health Committee of the Council of States (SGK-S). According to the Health Committee of the National Council this adopted the “Siegenthaler Parliamentary Initiative”. The initiative calls for a re-regulation of the cultivation, production, trade and consumption of cannabis containing THC. What the initiative calls for in more detail can be read in the last blog post about PI Siegenthaler.
Even though the initiative has now passed a crucial hurdle with flying colors (9 votes in favor to 2 against), cannabis containing THC will not become legal overnight. As a next step, the National Council’s Health Commission has 2 years to draft a bill. The Federal Council is also likely to adopt a position on the initiative. Once the bill has been drafted, it still has to pass through parliament. Furthermore, if a referendum is held against the bill, the people may also have to vote on legalization. While it’s very nice to see something moving. However, a lot of patience and commitment is still required from supporters of legalization until this actually results in meaningful legislation.

In Germany, the political process is completely different, but it has a similar impact on the work of associations such as the German Hemp Association as it does in Switzerland, since there, too, even in the best case scenario, several years or at least many months will pass before something concrete emerges. The latest discussions and media reports on the possible legalization of THC were triggered in Germany by the coalition negotiations. During talks to find a government, legalization was apparently a topic on which the Greens and the FDP were largely in agreement. Since even the SPD is not likely to be fundamentally opposed to legalization, a new regulation is suddenly within the realm of possibility.
What these developments now mean in more detail, the German Hemp Association (DHV) has explained very well in a video. Episode 311 of the DHV-News deals with the new possibilities, takes a closer look at the media hype on the topic and asks the question, what kind of influence a possible legalization will have on the work of the hemp association. Since many of these questions will also arise in Switzerland, for example for associations such as “Legalize It!” or the “IG Hemp”, it is worth taking a look at the article.

So there is reason to celebrate – but the road is still long. Legalization is far from being a done deal, the exact details are still completely unclear, and even after legalization there would still be a lot to do in the field of consumer protection, for example.

Sources:
– Press release of the “Cannabis Consensus Switzerland
– Watson article: “Parliamentary commissions want to legalize cannabis”.
– DHV-News #311 from the German Hemp Association

Population survey on cannabis regulation

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At the beginning of July 2021, the FOPH published the results of a population survey on cannabis at a media briefing. The aim of the survey conducted by Sotomo was to know the attitudes of the voting population at the time of the launch of the pilot tests . Does the chosen path meet with approval? Would a possible legalization of cannabis be able to gain majority support? What measures would have to accompany such legalization? The federal government wanted a representative response from the population to questions of this nature.

The results of the population survey were quite sensational. In recent years, the attitude of the population seems to have changed fundamentally. Thus, the path taken is supported by a clear majority, as a new regulation of cannabis legislation is perceived as important or very important by a clear majority. The pilot tests also enjoy broad acceptance, especially in the cities and pilot communities.

However, the change in social values is most clearly reflected in the question of a possible legalization of cannabis: the survey results show that such a legalization has meanwhile become possible for the majority. Two-thirds of respondents were clearly or somewhat in favor of legalization at the time of the survey. Curbing the black market and better consumer protection were the two arguments for legalization that gained the most traction. On the opposing side, concerns were based on a feared trivialization of the drug and possible harm to the adolescent brain.

If legalization becomes an issue, sensible regulation and prevention will also be necessary in the eyes of those respondents who are in favor of such a step. In particular, a well-developed protection of minors is indispensable for a large majority. Comprehensive prevention measures and a restriction of THC content are also supported by more than half. More generally, participants in the study tended to favor rather strict regulation. Just because legalization has gained majority support does not mean that the use and trafficking of cannabis would become an activity beyond all laws.

We were very pleased when we heard about the results of the study. Hopefully this happy news will find its way into politics. Even though there has been a lot of movement in the Federal Parliament recently, the intended revision of cannabis legislation is likely to pick up speed a bit.

Source:
– Factsheet on the Sotomo population survey

Regulatory chaos in the cannabis industry

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Anyone wishing to enter the trade and production of cannabis products in Switzerland must first take an in-depth look at the applicable legal basis. This is a very laborious exercise, as one is faced with a large and confusing collection of laws that affect and regulate various aspects of economic activity in different cases.

When talking about legal regulation, most people think primarily of the 1% THC rule. The fact that there are a lot of other regulations that the legal cannabis industry has to follow is forgotten. For example, certain rules apply to tobacco substitutes, other rules apply to medicines, and still others relate to cosmetics. Further, cannabis products can also be classified as agricultural products, narcotics, commodities, food, or chemicals, with a different set of rules taking effect for each classification as well.

This fragmented legislation becomes a particular problem when it is unclear to which category a product should be attributed. CBD oils, for example, are generally considered chemicals, which must be accompanied by a whole range of warning labels for legal sale. This well aware that these oils are usually consumed. Alternatively, these oils could also be sold as food supplements – but only if they are approved by the EU as “novel foods.” However, these applications have been pending for a long time, and their processing has been suspended in the meantime. It was not until the ECJ ruling on November 19, 2020, that CBD was not an addictive substance that the submitted applications continued to be processed. Since this process usually takes at least 15 months from application to approval, it is likely that there will be a longer wait for this approval (or non-approval).

If one considers these conditions, it is obvious from our point of view that the legislation must be adapted. Such an adjustment could then also immediately take into account current developments with regard to the social status of the hemp plant, medical findings and the experience gained by other states. Therefore, as a company in the cannabis industry, we are very happy that things are moving at the moment. In addition to the increased occurrence of a social discussion, there are also some political initiatives: the parliamentary initiative of Heinz Siegenthaler, the“Postulate Minder“, the pilot tests with cannabis and the changes in the Cannabis Medicinal Products Act.

Sources:
– Current legal situation in Switzerland: Lino Cereghetti at the members’ meeting of IG Hemp
– EU approval of CBD products as “Novel Food”: ernährungs-umschau.de

Postulate Minder for more legal certainty

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Following a meeting with IG Hemp, Council of States member Thomas Minder (no party affiliation, SVP parliamentary group) submitted a postulate in March calling for a report from the Federal Council outlining how various aspects of the hemp plant can be economically exploited. On the basis of these findings, it will be explained how they can be used in the context of modern regulation. Experiences from other states are also to be included. In May, the Federal Council rejected this thoroughly welcome thought-provoking idea.

The Federal Council recommends that the Minder postulate be rejected because the legislation is already in flux, for example in the area of pilot projects for the legal sale of cannabis and in the area of cannabis medicines. Thus, the aspect of contemporary regulation had already been dealt with sufficiently and the evaluation of the experiences of other states had also already taken place within this framework. Furthermore, the economic opportunities offered by the 1% rule are already relatively large, as long as no narcotics are involved. With the reference to the 1% rule, the Federal Council hides behind a series of special laws, which from the point of view of a CBD company are anything but satisfactory, as the needs of the customers can only be poorly covered. For example, CBD oils must be sold as chemicals, including all associated warning labels. However, this is done knowing that these oils are usually ingested.

So from our perspective, the current special legislation is completely inadequate. Therefore, we hope that the Council of States will accept the postulate of Councilor Minder, thus further stimulating the social discourse on the topic. Especially the economic perspective of a regulated cannabis market mentioned by Mr. Minder offers a lot of potential, as experiences from the USA and Canada show.

Update : On June 17, the Minder postulate was adopted by a clear majority (30:6) in the Council of States, despite the rejectionist stance of the Federal Council. We are curious to see what happens next and will keep you informed.

Left:
– Blogpost of IG Hemp
– Postulate Minder on “Legal certainty in the production, trade and use of hemp/cannabis products”.