Editorial (LI107)

Dear member

Even though the number of prosecutions has fallen massively, hemp repression still affects 13,000 people a year. I have been following hemp seed prosecutions for ten years now and in July there were two exemplary cases:

• A woman in Bern ordered 21 hemp seeds, which were confiscated by customs. The statement that she had ordered CBD-seeds was accepted (a rare case!), the seeds were destroyed, but the public prosecutor issued a non-acceptance order: no fine, no costs.
• In St. Gallen, a woman ordered seven hemp seeds, refused to testify at interrogation and the public prosecutor classified the order as a misdemeanor: i.e. a criminal record entry, 10 daily rates, a CHF 200 fine and 650 fees (appeal pending).

That is quite a range. It shows that there are now efficiency-oriented public prosecutors who do not want to waste time on minor cases. However, the two cases also show that those affected must think carefully about whether and what they say. If you have any questions, please contact our legal information service.

Just because a new law is being discussed does not mean that hempprosecution will disappear. The existing law is still in force and is sometimes enforced more strongly, sometimes more weakly. But it is still a tough law!

Hemp greetings from the secretary

Sven Schendekehl