Politics Commission opens consultation on cannabis legalization
Adults are to have legal access to cannabis in Switzerland in future. The responsible National Council committee has submitted the draft for a future Cannabis Products Act for consultation by December 1.
29.08.2025, 11:57
SDA
The Social and Health Committee of the National Council (SGK-N) wants to give adults legal access to cannabis. It wants to regulate the commercial cultivation, production and sale of cannabis, but does not want to promote its use. Interested parties have until December 1 to comment on the proposals.
The cultivation, production, trade and consumption of cannabis for non-medical purposes are currently prohibited. Consumption by adults is punishable by a fine, while possession of a small amount is exempt from punishment. Pilot trials for the controlled distribution of cannabis have been running since 2023.
Despite the current ban, cannabis consumption is a reality, according to a statement from the parliamentary services on Friday. This is why the SGK-N wants to lift the ban, but still allow cannabis to be considered a narcotic.
Adults should be allowed to grow cannabis for their own use and buy cannabis products, but minors should not. All forms of advertising for cannabis and cannabis products are also prohibited. Zero tolerance should continue to apply to cannabis in road traffic.
The SGK-N only wants to permit the commercial cultivation of cannabis and the commercial manufacture of products made from it with federal authorization. It should only be sold in places licensed by the cantons. The federal government should be able to grant a single license for online sales.
In order not to encourage consumption, cannabis should not be sold for profit. In addition, an incentive tax should limit consumption and guide consumers towards less harmful products.
The fundamental decision to decriminalize the use of cannabis was taken by the responsible committees in 2021; a subcommittee of the SGK-N then set to work. The impetus for this was provided by former Bernese centrist National Councillor Heinz Siegenthaler with a parliamentary initiative.
