On 28 September 2023, the National Council approved the extension of the parliamentary initiative of the Bernese Centre National Councillor Heinz Siegenthaler – “Regulation of the cannabis market for better youth and consumer protection, 20.473" - decided.

Barbara Gysi heads the subcommittee that is responsible for implementing the initiative. During the debate, she promised "comprehensive regulation" and stressed that a good proposal would take time: "It is really important and right to do this work with enough time."[1]

The extension of the initiative was opposed by a right-wing minority. "The initiative is, as it turns out, contrary to international law," Thurgau SVP National Councilor Verena Herzog warned her colleagues emphatically. Legalizing cannabis would not lead to greater protection for young people, but rather the exact opposite.[2]

However, the National Council did not want to hear any of this outdated argument. It voted clearly in favour of extending the deadline for drawing up a draft decree, with 104 votes in favour and 69 against.[3]

The project is favored by broad support for the company's business and the planned regulation in Germany, which is expected to come into force as early as January 2024.

In the election year of 2023, the industry association's expectations of rapid implementation were rather dampened. Now the focus must be on drawing up a draft law as soon as possible and putting it out for consultation.

Sensible cannabis regulation forms the basis for youth and consumer protection, quality assurance, combating the black market and the sustainable development of the Swiss hemp industry, which consists predominantly of small and medium-sized companies. Through targeted regulation, the potential of the cannabis plant can be exploited and Switzerland can act as a pioneer worldwide for an adequate regulatory model.[4]

[1] 20.473 | Regulation of the cannabis market for better youth and consumer protection | Gysi Barbara | Vote | The Swiss Parliament

[2] 20.473 | Regulation of the cannabis market for better youth and consumer protection | Duke Verena | Vote | The Swiss Parliament

[3] 20.473 | Regulation of the cannabis market for better youth and consumer protection | Official Bulletin | The Swiss Parliament

[4] https://ighanf.ch/positionspapier-zur-schweizerischen-cannabisregulierung/