The government has recommended the approval of the sale of cannabis for medical purposes. It also wants to legalise pilot tests to establish how a general legalisation would impact consumers.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-ATS/ln
The changes are intended to facilitate access to medical cannabis for patients in Switzerland, the Federal Office of Publish Health (FOPH) wrote in a press release.
In 2017, around 3000 patients were treated with medical cannabis, often people with incurable diseases or terminal cancer. But currently permission is only granted on a case by case basis, and hinders access, delaying treatment.
The home affairs ministry has now been tasked with proposing a change to the law by summer 2019.
Recreational use
In its announcement on Wednesday, the government also said it wanted to allow pilot studies to go ahead to examine the drug’s effects when used recreationally.
Although cannabis for recreational purposes is illegal, the government said the number of users had remained stable and the black market was flourishing.
That’s why the authorities in several Swiss cities and cantons have expressed interest in the studies. So far, such investigations have been banned.
Interested parties have until October 25 to provide input on the pilot studies’ proposal before it goes to parliament for debate.
More
More
How cannabis becomes medicine
This content was published on
Chemist Markus Lüdi is Switzerland’s only producer of a natural tincture made from cannabis. In his laboratory in Burgdorf in canton Bern he demonstrates how a liquid drug can be produced from cannabis flowers. (Photos: Thomas Kern, swissinfo.ch)
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
International cooperation: the National Assembly accepts 11 billion euros
This content was published on
Switzerland's international cooperation strategy 2025-2028 has been recommended a budget of almost CHF11 billion after weeks of political wrangling.
Zurich court throws out ‘cum-ex’ case against German lawyer
This content was published on
A trial against a German lawyer, accused of breaching Swiss banking secrecy investigating 'cum-ex' transactions, has collapsed.
Swiss National Bank lowers key interest rate by 0.5%
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank lowers benchmark interest rate by a surprisingly hefty 0.5%. The reference rate now stands at 0.5%.
Swiss fintech Leonteq has profits confiscated after regulatory breach
This content was published on
Swiss derivatives firm Leonteq acted in serious violation of regulatory obligations and must to hand over CHF9.3 million in profits.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
‘Swiss marijuana champion’ finds new markets with ‘cannabis light’
This content was published on
There’s decaffeinated coffee, alcohol-free beer, and now marijuana that doesn’t make you high. A producer reveals the hidden side of the market.
This content was published on
Hemp containing active ingredient cannabidiol (CBD) can now be bought in Swiss branches of German discount supermarket chain Lidl.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.