Pilot testing of cannabis: message referred to parliament
The Federal Council has referred the dispatch on pilot trials with cannabis to parliament. The bill creates the conditions for conducting temporary and strictly regulated scientific studies on the use of cannabis for pleasure purposes.
(Young leaves of marijuana) © Depositphotos/forkjemper
Despite the ban, around 200,000 people in Switzerland regularly consume Cannabis with more than 1% THC content for consumption purposes. This situation raises several problems: it allows a significant black market to flourish, product quality is not subject to control, repression costs are high, and it is difficult to reach consumers with prevention measures. Without calling into question the general prohibition of cannabis, it must be possible to test alternative regulatory models, taking into account the current realities. The article on pilot testing provides that municipalities can conduct scientific studies. This is to determine the advantages and disadvantages of alternative forms of regulation (e.g. regulated sales in pharmacies). In the consultation process, the majority of cantons and political parties were in favor of the principle of pilot trials. In addition, several cities had already expressed interest in conducting such trials, which had not been possible until now due to a lack of legal basis.
Strictly regulated pilot tests
The pilot tests are strictly regulated. In order to Youth protection minors are excluded from the study. Persons of legal age who wish to participate in a study must have a proven history of cannabis use. In addition, participants must reside in a community where a study is being conducted. Furthermore, no other psychotropic substances are included in the studies.
Participants can only purchase a limited amount of cannabis per month. They are prohibited from passing this cannabis on to third parties and are not allowed to consume it in places open to the public. The duration of the studies may not exceed five years.
The validity of the article on pilot trials included in the Narcotics Law is limited to ten years. At the end of this period, the results of the various studies will be compiled so that the discussion on cannabis policy can be continued in an evidence-based manner. The pilot trials do not allow any conclusions to be drawn on how to proceed. The general ban on cannabis continues to apply throughout Switzerland, and any decision to change the regulatory model would in any case have to be taken by parliament. The bill to facilitate access to medical cannabis is the subject of a separate procedure. The related adaptation of the Narcotics Act should go out for consultation by summer 2019.
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