In April 2026, the Federal Office of Public Health published the results report on the consultation process for the Cannabis Products Act (CanPG). The 106-page report documents the feedback from 162 participants on the draft legislation, which aims to implement parliamentary initiative 20.473. The Swiss Hemp Association (IG Hanf Schweiz) has analyzed the report and summarizes the key findings.

It is clear that the evaluation of the consultation process does not represent a rejection of cannabis regulation. Rather, it shows that the proposal needs to be politically revised, made more practical, and better supported at the federal level. Accordingly, the National Council's Social Security and Health Committee (SGK-N) published the consultation results on May 7, 2026. advice and sent the draft back to the subcommittee. 

Overview of the consultation results

128 organizations were invited to participate, and 76 responded. An additional 86 spontaneous comments were received, including 22 from private individuals and 4 from international participants. This brings the total number of responses to 162, reflecting a remarkably broad societal response. The consultation period ran from August 29 to December 1, 2025.

The overall picture is mixed. At first glance, support and opposition appear to be evenly balanced, but the distribution across the individual groups is revealing.

Statements from the cantons: narrow majority critical

Skepticism prevails among the cantons. Ten cantons approve or tend to approve the draft (SG, AI, BS, GE, GL, GR, NE, OW, SO, VD), one canton remains neutral (VS), and 15 cantons reject or tend to reject it (AG, BE, BL, FR, LU, NW, SH, SZ, TG, UR, ZG, ZH, AR, JU, TI). The Conference of Cantonal Directors of Social Affairs (SODK) tends to approve the draft but makes its approval contingent on the introduction of a dedicated consumption tax.

It is noteworthy that even many of the opposing cantons share the general direction of the proposal. AR, JU, LU, and NW explicitly acknowledge that the current regulations are outdated. BL, LU, and UR see opportunities in the proposal for health and addiction policy, particularly regarding decriminalization and harm reduction. The criticism is directed less at the goal itself than at the specific details: too complex, too expensive, and with insufficient resources for enforcement.

Political parties: Four in favor, four against

Of the eight parties represented in the Federal Assembly, the Green Liberal Party (GLP), the Greens, and the Social Democratic Party (SPS) support the draft legislation, while the Free Democratic Party (FDP) is more inclined to approve it. The Centre Party, the Federal Democratic Union (EDU), the Evangelical People's Party (EVP), and the Swiss People's Party (SVP) oppose it. The pro-regulatory parties see the regulation as providing better consumer protection and an effective tool against the black market. The opposing parties argue that it would send a strong signal, create gaps in youth protection, and fear a normalization of consumption.

umbrella organizations, commissions and authorities

The Swiss Association of Cities (SSV) has given its clear approval. The Swiss Farmers' Union (SBV) remains neutral and emphasizes the protection of domestic production. The Swiss Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SGV) rejects the proposal and criticizes the lack of legal certainty.

The extra-parliamentary commissions EKKJ (youth issues), EKSN (addiction issues), and the Competition Commission WEKO have given their approval. EKSN describes the proposal as a crucial step towards responsible, health-oriented regulation.

The cantonal and municipal authorities have differing opinions. KKBS and SKBS support the general direction but see gaps in youth protection. KKPKS and SSK consider parts of the proposal difficult to implement. VKCS and VKS warn of high monitoring costs.

Addiction prevention, the cannabis industry and civil society

The majority of addiction and prevention organizations support the proposal. 28 out of 33 national and local organizations agree or tend to agree. They particularly welcome the principle that health protection takes precedence over commercial interests, as well as the decriminalization of substance use. At the same time, they urge stronger accompanying measures for minors.

The cannabis industry largely approves of the proposal. The Swiss Hemp Association (IG Hanf Schweiz), Wiiid, and EssInv have clearly expressed their support. The pharmaceutical industry has sent mixed signals, with the central concern being a clear distinction between medical and non-medical cannabis.

Support prevails in broader civil society. Youth and social organizations such as AvenirSocial, DOJ, and SAJV support the proposal, particularly because of the decriminalization of young consumers.

Key topics: Where the proposal is causing controversy

Health protection is largely undisputed

The health-oriented focus of the draft law is widely supported. Control of cultivation and sales, a ban on advertising, neutral packaging, and high standards for points of sale are generally accepted, even by many critical voices.

Youth protection: Demand for more substance

Six cantons and the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Social Directors (SODK) consider the youth protection measures in the draft legislation insufficient. Seven cantons criticize the lack of specific accompanying measures and additional funding. Numerous addiction support organizations are also calling for improvements, such as better access to counseling and therapy services and stricter regulations regarding substance use bans near educational institutions.

Implementation and financing as the key sticking point

Eighteen cantons and the SODK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Directors of Social Affairs) consider the current enforcement measures too complex and expensive. Eighteen cantons are demanding additional funding. Ten cantons, two political parties (EDU, EVP), the SSV (Swiss Association of Public Service Employees), and several government bodies are calling for a dedicated consumption tax. Furthermore, they are demanding that the enforcement compensation from the steering levy also be paid to the cantons.

Online sales: 16 cantons reject it

The planned online sales are one of the biggest points of contention. Sixteen cantons, the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Social Directors (SODK), and the Christian Democratic People's Party (EVP), the Swiss People's Party (SVP), and the Federal Democratic Union (EDU) oppose it, mostly citing concerns about protecting minors. The Free Democratic Party (FDP), the Green Liberal Party (GLP), the Social Democratic Party (SPS), and several addiction support organizations are in favor, seeing the online channel as an effective tool against the black market. Several cantons that would generally accept it insist that licensing remain under cantonal jurisdiction.

Pilot projects and timing of regulation

Twelve cantons consider regulation premature while the evaluation of the ongoing pilot projects is still pending. A widely supported concern is the creation of transitional provisions to prevent participants in pilot projects from reverting to the illegal market after their completion.

Classification by the Swiss Hemp Association

The report shows that a broad coalition of scientists, addiction prevention experts, cities, youth organizations, and the cannabis industry supports modern regulation. The criticism from the opposing cantons focuses primarily not on the general direction of the regulation, but rather on its complexity, enforcement costs, and financing. This is precisely where the task for revision lies.

The CanPG has the potential to effectively combine health protection, youth protection, and the suppression of the black market. For this potential to become a reality, the legislation must be practical and economically realistic. A legal market that is more expensive, slower, and less attractive than the illegal one cannot achieve its intended effect.

Our core demands at a glance

The Swiss Hemp Association (IG Hanf Schweiz) has in its Stellungnahme The following priorities were set:

• Combating the illegal market to enshrine this explicitly in the purpose clause.
• Advertising ban and additive regulations Design it in such a way that legal providers remain competitive.
• In order for a legal offering to be competitive and stable structures to emerge, sales outlets should be established. Make profits and operate economically can.
• Protection of the Swiss hemp market through fair market conditions and appropriate border protection, so that domestic value creation, quality and traceability are maintained.
• A transparent approval system instead of concessions and open market access for all who meet the requirements.
• Online sales are under cantonal jurisdiction instead of a nationwide distribution monopoly.
• Transitional provisions for pilot projects, in order to prevent participants from relapsing into the illegal market.
• Differentiated regulation of cannabis flowers and resins instead of being classified as smoking products across the board.
• The IG Hanf (Hemp Interest Group) speaks out clearly against blanket THC limits as 20% in the pilot trials.

How it goes on

The evaluation will be returned to the National Council's Social Security and Health Committee (SGK-N). They will revise the draft based on the consultation results. From the perspective of the Swiss Hemp Association (IG Hanf Schweiz), what is needed now is the courage to propose a proposal that reduces complexity, enables federal solutions, and acknowledges economic realities.

The consultation process on the Cannabis Products Act demonstrates a sign of political maturity. Instead of fundamental debates about prohibition, the discussion now revolves around enforcement, financing, and detailed regulation. This is progress. The Swiss Hemp Association (IG Hanf Schweiz) is committed to ensuring that this progress does not fail due to technical shortcomings, but rather results in effective, health-oriented, and economically viable regulation.

About IG Hanf Schweiz IG Hanf Schweiz is the industry association for the Swiss cannabis sector. It represents the cultivation, production, processing, and sale of hemp and cannabis products and advocates for modern, health-oriented, and economically realistic regulation.

Source: Report on the results of the consultation process on the Federal Act on Cannabis Products (CanPG), Federal Department of Home Affairs, Federal Office of Public Health, April 2026.

Consultation report 20.473 8.5.26 D.pdf

Link to the media release of IG Hanf Schweiz: Cannabis regulation: Improvements yes, delays no – IG Hanf Schweiz