Drugs Controversial cannabis law: pioneering role or leading the way
Is Switzerland taking on a pioneering role with the new Cannabis Products Act or is it still too early to implement it? The responses to the consultation on the new bill vary widely. There is particular disagreement on the protection of minors.
07.12.2025, 10:00
SDA
The Social and Health Committee of the National Council (SGK-N) wants to lift the ban on cannabis. On August 29 of this year, it sent the draft of a future Cannabis Products Act out for consultation. This deadline expired at the beginning of December.
In its statement, the Conference of Cantonal Directors of Social Affairs (SODK) welcomed the thrust of the draft. The law would create legal access to safe and regulated cannabis products for the adult population. This could reduce health risks and contact with the black market. However, a key gap is the lack of protection for minors.
The Conference of Cantonal Health Directors (GDK) takes a more critical view of the draft in its co-report: regulation is too complex and cannot be implemented by the cantons in its current form. In addition, it considers it premature to regulate the cannabis market as long as the results of the pilot projects in some Swiss cities are not yet available.
A circumstance that was also criticized by the Blue Cross. For these reasons, and for reasons of a lack of protection of minors, the umbrella organization for addiction aid rejects the Cannabis Products Act, it said in a statement. With a dispensing age of 18, neutral packaging and a ban on advertising, the parliamentary commission is taking important measures - but these are not enough to protect minors and young adults.
"Grossly negligent and counterproductive"
The SVP is even clearer: the new federal law on cannabis products contradicts a responsible drug policy. The bill undermines public safety and places an additional burden on the healthcare system. In particular, the party classified the constant availability of cannabis via online sales as "counterproductive and grossly negligent".
The Center Party also wants to maintain the ban. It fears that the legalization of cannabis for adults will mean that minors will also have easier access. The desired strengthening of the protection of minors would not be achieved, argued the Center Party in its statement. In addition, the legal handling for employers, authorities and law enforcement agencies remains largely unclear.
"Previous approach has failed"
The SP comes to a completely different conclusion. The Cannabis Products Act gives Switzerland a "pioneering role" compared to other European countries. The law promotes a more responsible and lower-risk approach, which guarantees the protection of minors in particular, the party said, explaining its decision to adopt the bill.
For the Green Liberals, a legal framework with clear quality and safety standards would better protect consumers. This would strengthen prevention and allow problematic consumer behavior to be identified earlier. The illegal market is currently benefiting from the ban in Switzerland, wrote the GLP and declared the prohibitive approach a failure in its statement.
