Switzerland’s adult-use marijuana legalization pilot program is “running smoothly,” with “no indication of any disturbances to public order,” a government-commissioned report finds as lawmakers are considering legislation to broadly end cannabis prohibition across the country.
About two years after the pilot program launched in seven municipalities across the country, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) study—carried out by the University of Lausanne and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland—generally determined that the initiative has been a success.
It included an assessment of for-profit business models and non profit organizations that distribute cannabis to adults.
Translation: Researchers found that non-profits focused more on protecting youth, health, and the environment, with less advertising.
FOPH stated that “it is discovered that the for-profit model tends to encourage use, and even a ban on advertisements does not prevent this.” “The analysis concluded that cities who participated in the pilot project have gained a lot of knowledge about implementation, which is something to be considered when implementing new cannabis legislation.”
The trials have only recently begun, so the results are limited. It is still too early to make conclusions about the consumption effects, due to the limited duration of the trial.
The initial report noted “no disruptions at sales points,” and that the police “have worked well together and have supported the trials. They are concentrating on other drug-related problems.”
It was found that cannabis users who participated in the program had a history of marijuana use. There was “some de-stigmatization observed in particular, social clubs and pharmacy.”
The report noted that the “political timetables might not be in line with the long process of gathering science data.”
A Swiss committee has recently given preliminary approval, in terms of the policy discussion process, to a plan which would legalize and regulate access for adults to marijuana. A tax would be imposed on marijuana products and the sale of cannabis for profit is prohibited.
Early in the legislative cycle, the approval by the committee constitutes a significant step.
The commission stated that “the next step will be an explanation report of the draft preliminary so the commission can review these documents during the summer.” At that point, interested parties will have the chance to make comments.
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Mike Latimer provided the photo.