Switzerland heads towards cannabis legalisation, but some hurdles remain

Switzerland inched closer towards legalising recreational and medical cannabis as a committee of the upper parliamentary chamber backed a proposal to regulate the market. But it could be years before the country creates such a regulated cannabis market.

The Council of States’ health commission voted 9-2 on 19th October in favour of an initiative by national councillor Heinz Siegenthaler to introduce a bill reforming Swiss drug policy. Forty parliamentarians across all political groups have also co-signed the initiative. The health commission of the National Council – the lower house of Parliament – supported the plan in April, so the proposal now goes back to the full assembly, which is likely to approve it and start work in 2022. A draft decree should be drawn up within two years.