Parliamentary initiative

The parliamentary initiative of Heinz Siegenthaler (Die Mitte) wants to legally re-regulate cultivation, production, trade and consumption of cannabis containing THC according to the recommendations of the Federal Commission on Narcotic Drugs (EKSF). ¹⁾.

Status: After the National Council Commission for Social Security and Health (SGK-N), the Commission for Social Security and Health of the Council of States (SGK-S) has now also approved the initiative on October 18/19, 2021 (press release SGK-N and press release SGK-S). Next, the SGK-N will prepare a draft decree within two years. Details on the parliamentary initiative process.

At its meeting on April 8, 2022, the Commission for Social Security and Health decided by 13 votes to 6 with 3 abstentions to set up a subcommission that will now tackle this work in concrete terms(media release).

In August 2023, it was announced that the Commission would request an extension of time, giving it two more years to complete its deliberations. Antrag zur Verlängerung und Kommissionsbericht vom 31.8.23 (not available in English)

The subcommittee concluded its deliberations at the end of 2024. The Commission for Social Security and Health will now have an explanatory report drawn up: Media release. The report and the legislative text will then probably be available in summer 2025 and sent out for consultation.

• Are opponents playing for time? Decisions on cannabis legalization delayed by up to two years
• Fall 2022: Another cannabis policy cycle begins
• Summer 2022: What became of the parliamentary initiative?
• watson.ch: Parliamentary commissions want to legalize cannabis
• Winter 20/21: New proposal in parliament: Will it bring a breakthrough?
• Business 20.473 on parlament.ch

Heinz Siegenthaler had already tried in 2018 in business 18.3150 to treat cannabis the same as high-proof alcohol. This business was written off in June 2020 because it was not conclusively dealt with in the Council within two years. Compared to the 2018 business, however, the current business has a much better chance with 40 co-signers.

You can find our articles on the amendment of NarcA from the last years here.