Bern, July 15, 2025

Although 64% of Valais residents support a pilot project on THC-containing cannabis, the cantonal authorities continue to refuse to engage in dialogue. A research project compatible with federal law has been blocked for over three years.

According to one today on pomona.ch According to an article published in the journal, the project by the Valais-based company BergBlüten AG has been met with rejection by the cantonal authorities for over three years. Police Commander Christian Varone and State Councilor Stéphane Ganzer refuse to discuss this project, even though it complies with federal regulations. The former describes cannabis as a "plague" that must be combated, while the latter claims to have "no interest" in such a study. Without any public debate, without any impact assessment.

An obstacle to science, business and transparency

• The project would have enabled a better understanding of the actual use, risks and impacts on public health in the Canton of Valais.
• It would have created jobs in a legal, local and innovative sector.
• It would have brought Valais and its interests back into the national debate on a drug policy based on facts and not on prejudice.

A worrying signal for research and in contradiction to the Valais population

A representative survey conducted by the HES-SO and the LINK Institute at the end of 2023 shows that almost two-thirds (64%) of Valais residents support the idea of a supervised pilot project for the distribution of THC-containing cannabis. This popular will stands in stark contrast to the current institutional blockade.

The message from citizens is clear: they want responsible regulation, not ostrich-like policies. By even refusing to open a dialogue, the cantonal authorities are not only preventing controlled research but are also sending a contradictory message: they prefer repression to regulation, ideology to science. This is a political decision with serious consequences for prevention, transparency, and trust in institutions.

Valais has unique expertise in the cultivation of medicinal plants and an economic fabric that is willing to commit to a regulated, responsible, and local hemp industry. It is important that cannabis regulation in Switzerland is not just done by the cities for the cities. The different cantonal circumstances must be taken into account, and Valais has a place in this debate.

"It's clear that only cannabis regulation can curb dangerous excesses and effectively protect the health of consumers, especially young people," says Benjamin Foro, board member and media spokesperson for IG Hanf. "It's high time to end the outdated prohibition policy and find a pragmatic solution."

Press contact:

Benjamin Foro, Member of the Board
📞 +41 76 454 69 79
✉️  benjamin.foro@ighanf.ch  
🌐  www.ighanf.ch

Link to the Pomona article: "A plague" instead of research: Commander Varone and State Councilor Ganzer block cannabis study

Link to the study: Cannabis_Legalization_Valais_Study_2024

IG Hanf’s contribution to the findings from the pilot trials: Regulated access reduces problematic consumption – IG Hanf Schweiz