Unveiling Switzerland's groundbreaking initiative to decriminalize cannabis use

Switzerland lags behind numerous countries, including neighboring Germany, in terms of cannabis legalization. But that's set to change soon. As of now, Switzerland has a complex set of rules for both medical and recreational cannabis consumption.

The Narcotics Act classifies it as a psychoactive substance, with THC being the most intoxicating ingredient. The law has always been loosely enforced when it comes to personal consumption. Despite the ban, many people have been growing marijuana plants on their balconies or in their gardens for their own use. The law allows it, as long as it's a variety of the plant that doesn't have a narcotic effect—meaning the THC content must be less than 1 percent.

Medical use of marijuana was previously restricted, with doctors only prescribing a cannabis-based mouth spray for multiple sclerosis patients. Others who needed this drug for pain relief had to obtain special permission from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). However, this changed in August 2022, as patients who had a prescription for the drug no longer needed to seek exceptional permission from the health ministry.

With future legalization in mind, a series of trial runs were held. The first such project began in 2023 in Basel-Country. "The scientific knowledge gained from this [pilot project] will provide a basis for discussion for a future responsible cannabis policy," authorities said at the time. Similar trials followed in other areas of Switzerland, including Basel-City, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Biel/Bienne, Lucerne, and Geneva.

Fast forward to 2025, on February 14th, the National Council's Public Health Committee revealed the outlines of the law that will be proposed and debated. The committee decided that cannabis consumption is a social reality and the majority considered that the prohibitive approach is wrong. However, they are in favor of strictly regulated access.

This means:

Distribution and sale to minors will be prohibited.
The quantity that a person can cultivate and possess in public spaces will be limited.
Production for profit will be authorized, but the profits will be allocated to prevention.
Sales will be subject to a state monopoly, which will grant a limited number of concessions to points of sale.
Advertising will be prohibited.
A tax will be introduced and will depend on the THC level.
People who avoid the legal market will be punished more severely than today (current fines for possession or sale range from 100 francs upwards, depending on quantity).

In terms of road traffic, there will be zero tolerance, smoking and driving will not be allowed.

Switzerland's move toward cannabis legalization has been met with positive reactions. The Group for the Study of Addictions called it a "historic day for public health and safety." The Green Party believes that "repression is very expensive and fuels a black market run by mafias. Decriminalization allows for control of the origin and quality of products and better support for people who consume cannabis."

However, not everyone is thrilled about Switzerland considering making marijuana legal. A minority of the Health Committe is opposed to the proposed law. They believe that lifting the ban on cannabis for non-medical purposes "would send a very bad signal." If cannabis were legal, "the population, and especially young people, would think that its consumption is not harmful," they said.

While the legalization process has started, it is far from over. The committee has created a draft law, but an explanatory report must be drafted by the summer, so that the consultation procedure can be launched. Then, parliamentary debates will take place, along with the discussion of implementation modalities. So, it will still take time for cannabis to become legal in Switzerland.

The proposed cannabis law in Switzerland plans to enforce strict regulations, including prohibiting distribution and sale to minors, limiting the quantity an individual can cultivate and possess in public spaces, and introducing a tax dependent on the THC level.
In the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, one of the areas where marijuana trial runs were conducted, the general public and political circles are closely watching the process, with the Green Party expressing support for decriminalization.
Despite the positive reactions from some sectors, a minority within the Health Committee is opposed to the proposed cannabis legalization, arguing that lifting the ban for non-medical purposes could send a wrong signal and potentially normalize cannabis consumption among the population, particularly among young people.