04.06.2024 – Findings at CannaTrade

The CannaTrade ended a few days ago. The hemp fair was a little smaller this year, but we still spoke to many new and familiar people.

We sensed a certain euphoria in some of them: if Germany has taken steps towards legalization, then things will progress here too? But we have to make a skeptical remark: Just because the federal administration and the sub-commission are working something out doesn't mean it will turn out well.

We remember: in 2004, the National Council scuttled all the discussions, reports and work of the administration since 1996 in two votes, see article in LI30. That was that!

Now most people are again hoping that it will work out easily. But at the panel discussion on the topic at the CannaTrade, it became clear that the sub-commission has not yet even addressed such fundamental questions as taxation (this would probably require a constitutional article and thus a majority of the cantons in a vote, which everyone considers unrealistic) or whether outdoor and/or indoor cultivation should be legalized. So there are still many unanswered questions. The sub-commission's proposal is due to be published in the fall, when we will be able to find out more.

We really think that we urgently need a few hundred people across the country to campaign for a change. That means taking part in podiums, standing on street stalls, writing letters to the editor, giving interviews, managing social media and, ideally, standing there with their picture and name and representing the cause. Otherwise, we fear there will be no successful vote (and it is practically certain that a vote will be held).

At the CannaTrade, we unfortunately did not sense any willingness to tackle this effort. That is why we are not euphoric.