IG Hanf demands a practical, science-based law for genuine youth and consumer protection.
media release to Parliamentary Initiative 20.473 | Regulation of the cannabis market for better youth and consumer protection
Bern,26.November 2025– IG Hanf welcomes the preliminary draft of the Federal Act on Cannabis Products (CanPG) as an important step towards modern, health-policy-oriented regulation. For the first time, Switzerland has the opportunity to create a transparent, safe and controlled cannabis market that prioritizes consumer protection and pushes back against illegal structures.
The draft represents a fundamental shift in direction: away from a system that primarily strengthened the illegal market, towards clear rules, binding quality standards, and controlled levies. For this paradigm shift to succeed, regulation must pursue several objectives simultaneously:
- Strengthening youth and health protection, through clear guidelines, prevention and comprehensive education.
- Effectively curb the black market, using high quality standards, strict controls and realistic framework conditions.
- To enable a functioning legal market, with fair conditions, transparent processes and space for strong Swiss production.
A legal market can only protect the population if it is competitive, safe, and accessible. A law that is too restrictive or economically impractical would fail to achieve its regulatory goals and would further strengthen the black market. Effective protection of young people and public health is ultimately only possible in a regulated market.
“Switzerland has the opportunity to do better than Germany because it can learn from the regulatory mistakes made there and at the same time draw on the comprehensive scientific evidence from its own pilot projects. This way, a practical, effective and marketable model can be developed from the outset.” Elias Galantay, President of IG Hanf.
Predictable framework conditions and strengthening of Swiss production
IG Hanf calls for regulation based on scientific evidence and actual consumption patterns. The elimination of the illegal market should be explicitly enshrined in law. THC limits and risk categories should be designed to be practical. For regulation to be successful, clear and reliable guidelines for retail outlets are needed, as well as a strengthening of Swiss production. Quality-assured domestic products are crucial for traceability and sustainability. A steering tax can be useful, but it must not weaken the legal market through excessive costs. "If legal products are too expensive, the black market remains attractive.", warns the IG Hanf.
In the comprehensive Statement on the preliminary draft of the Federal Act on Cannabis Products (CanPG) IG Hanf outlines which adjustments are necessary to create a functioning, safe and sustainable legal market:
About IG Hanf: IG Hanf is the industry association for the Swiss cannabis sector and advocates for sensible regulation and promotion of the hemp industry in Switzerland. Further information can be found on the [website/link missing]. Website of the association.
Media contact:
Benjamin Foro, IG Hanf Schweiz
+41 76 454 69 79
benjamin.foro@ighanf.ch