CANNABIS SOON DEPENALISED?

On a political level there is a clear readiness to decriminalise
cannabis use. This was the result of the hearings for the revision of
the narcotics law, which centered on the question of penalisation. In
August [1999] the Federal Council [Swiss Federal Government] offered
five variants for debate.

In Switzerland an estimated several hundred thousand people consume
Cannabis more or less regularly.

Considering this reality, representatives of a majority of the Cantons
[prefectural governments] and of the parties in the Federal Council
support to remove penalties at least for use, acquisition, possession
and cultivation for personal use.

According to a clear majority of the cantons for now at least hashish
and marijuana should no longer be regarded as illegal narcotics.

At the same time an age limit should be set for the protection of the
youth. The conference of the health and welfare heads of the cantons
as well as individual cantons such as Basel-City or Obwalden support
removing penalties for use of any drugs, while others such as Jura,
Uri or Zurich support legalisation of soft drugs but for hard drugs
support the opportunity principle, which makes it possible to refrain
from prosecuting. Amongst the government parties a majority is at
least for a decriminalisation of cannabis use. The SP
[Socialdemocratic Party, left] wants to decriminalize all drug use
while the CVP [Christian People's Party, right] wants to restrict this
to cannabis only. The FDP [Liberal Party, centre] is also in principle
for the legalisation of cannabis.

The SVP [Swiss People's Party, far right] is opposed.

It fears for an increase in drug use in case of decriminalisation.

That cultivation of hemp plants may be an interesting alternative
especially for farmers is also clear to the Swiss Farmers' Association
(SBV). The board of the SBV also supports the decriminalisation of
cannabis use and is at the same time opposed to tightening controls on
[cannabis] cultivation.