Statement on the article: Green light for green herb: «Cannabis will be legalized in the next four years» Watson, February 20.02.2024, XNUMX, by Kilian Martin
The IG Hanf Schweiz supports the Green Party's initiative to advance cannabis regulation in Switzerland. Essential for successful cannabis regulation are:
- A prevention levy to finance counseling and therapy services as well as addiction research.
- A balanced regulation to minimize social and health damage (see graphic below).
- Promoting prevention and education to avoid risky consumption behavior.
- A regulation that does not stimulate consumption but creates a controlled market with minimal risks.
However, we stress that state dispensaries, as called for by the Green Party, raise some concerns. Cannabis regulation with state sales outlets encourages the formation of monopolies and causes considerable administrative burdens. We also advocate neutral packaging with the manufacturer's logo to ensure traceability and minimal recognition.
Switzerland should, as a whole, focus on harm reduction-oriented regulation of cannabis work towards, as proposed by the Green Party. Sensible cannabis regulation forms the basis for consumer protection, combating the black market and the sustainable development of the Swiss hemp industry. Through targeted regulation, the potential of the cannabis plant can be exploited sensibly and Switzerland can act as a pioneer worldwide for an adequate regulatory model.
IG Hanf Schweiz is the trade association of the Swiss cannabis industry and is actively committed to ensuring that work on the proposed law on cannabis regulation can progress as best as possible. We are confident that Switzerland will benefit both socially and economically from timely cannabis regulation.
The IG Hanf supports a balanced cannabis regulation to minimize social and health damage
Press contact: Dr. rer. nat. Claudia Zieres-Nauth
politik@ighanf.ch / +41 (0)76 541 04 20
Watson article: Cannabis legalization in Switzerland by 2028: The Greens' plan (watson.ch)
Green Party position paper on cannabis regulation: standard document (gruene.ch)