SWITZERLAND - CANNABIS SURVEY

Majority Of Swiss Want Cannabis Liberalization, Says Study

BERN, Switzerland (AP) -- More than half the population of Switzerland
backs a liberalization of laws banning cannabis, according to a survey by a
drug and alcohol agency. The figures, released Thursday by the private
Swiss Institute for Alcohol and Drug Problems following a study in
November, say that 54 percent favor a softening of penalties for smoking,
possessing and selling the drug. "Cannabis consumption is becoming normal,"
said institute director Richard Mueller. In the survey of 1,600 people aged
15-74, more than a quarter said they had smoked a joint at least once in
their life, with the figure rising to 50 percent among teen-agers and young
adults.

No margin of error was given for the poll. The study suggests that around
87,000 out of the seven million Swiss smoke a joint -- a cannabis cigarette
- -- daily. The institute is a supporter of legal liberalization for use and
possession of cannabis, and also wants to allow the sale of small
quantities of the drug. However, its thinking is not out of tune with that
of the Swiss government, which last year ask parliament to decriminalize
the use of cannabis. The use of other narcotics would remain illegal under
the government proposal, which recommended that parliament change the
federal narcotics law to end prosecution of cannabis users.

Parliament is due to consider it by June. Even though use of soft drugs is
technically illegal, penalties are rarely imposed against consumers and
Switzerland is rated as having one of the world's most liberal drug
policies. The study said that there should still be controls on use of soft
drugs in public places, and that any moves toward liberalizing the law
should be accompanied by a health education campaign similar to that aimed
at tobacco smokers.