Legalizing cannabis: How can it succeed?

Time and again we meet people who either think that cannabis is already legal or are firmly convinced that it will become legal straight away. Unfortunately, both are wrong. It still needs the commitment of many active people, otherwise it will never become legal.

We have defined the terms release, legalize, regulate and decriminalize in more detail inLegalize it 102 (box on page 12, see What does...), as these terms are used in different ways time and again.

There are an incredible number of areas for which a new contact must be defined. Each point can be regulated very differently!

We have illustrated this on our legalization overview. You will find three parts there: a large overview (our legalization grid, “Who may consume or trade what, when, where and how”), a nice solution and a minimum solution.

(Two exceptions: medical use; however, this is very limited and only possible with a doctor's prescription. Pilot projects; legal purchase is possible if many regulations are complied with. Limited in time until 2031 at the latest).

We can wish for many things. But how do we get there? The law needs to be changed: adapt/revise the Narcotics Act (NarcA) or remove THC from NarcA and create a new hemp law (possibly with a constitutional article).

We need to find majorities for this: Subcommittee, commissions, parliament (National Council, Council of States), referendum, possibly a majority of the cantons. So the key question is: what is capable of gaining a majority? This is not necessarily what we (or other groups) want - and it is not necessarily the most sensible option!

Problem: Around 40% are against any decriminalization step anyway, the rest have different priorities (for example, addiction experts vs. the middle classes, i.e. prevention vs. making money). Nevertheless, practically everyone who is not completely against a new approach must come together and agree on a proposal: Only then could it be just enough for a majority. Take the subcommittee, for example: nine members - four from the SVP and five from all other parties…

We should concentrate on the realistic. All those who are against prohibition must be flexible. Because, as I said, the opposition to any improvements is very strong. Nothing works without majorities! Perhaps it would be better to take just a few minimal steps and get them off the ground: Legalize consumption in private, increase small quantities to 100 grams, allow home cultivation within this framework.

However, the “Regulating cannabis” sub-committee of the National Council's Social Security and Health Committee (SGK-N) has been discussing this for around three years and wants to develop a comprehensive solution (this approach has already failed in Germany, leaving only a partial solution). The details are still open, but are to be discussed in the SGK-N (the commissioning body) in 2025. If the SGK-N approves the proposals, there will be a consultation process. The whole thing will therefore take some time, even in the best-case scenario (although it could also fail completely in the SGK-N). Years will pass.

Many people hope in politics and believe it will work itself out. We think that a social force is also needed to exert pressure. In the near future, many people need to get involved, organize and become active! Because without the personal commitment of many, it will hardly be possible to win a vote. We still have time to build this up. This event is part of the attempt to initiate such a movement.

It is important that as many people as possible get involved: Become a member, donate, set up reader letter groups, manage social media, train podium participants and then take part in podiums or give presentations - in other words, personally represent this cause in as many social strata as possible and thus build the necessary majority in quite a few steps. Because in Switzerland, the political process is simply one part, but you have to achieve a majority in a vote. Unfortunately, many people still underestimate this point.

There is still a long way to go before full legalization is achieved. A multifaceted, long-term commitment is needed! Many people think it will definitely become legal soon. But that's simply not the case. Twenty years ago, we saw how a major political process lasting several years was simply scuttled by the National Council. In 2008, we saw how the hemp initiative had no chance of winning a majority of votes. And certainly no chance of a majority of the cantons.

The political process is very slow and nothing is certain yet. It needs your commitment!