According to Swissinfo, a survey found that most Swiss people support the legalization of cannabis as long as there are sufficient and effective rules to protect minors. Most of the survey’s 3,166 adult participants are not only okay with legalization but also support conducting pilot tests to explore controlled distribution. With the support of the majority of citizens, it should come as no surprise that the nation is now preparing to launch a recreational cannabis trial.
The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) explained that two-thirds of the people who were surveyed want the minimum legal age for cannabis consumption to be 18 years of age, with 70% of the participants stating that it is important to “reform the cannabis law in Switzerland.”
The participants made mention of reforming cannabis laws to limit the illegal market and increase consumer safety, which are both valid reasons for supporting cannabis legalization. However, there was still a percentage worried about the effects of cannabis on the brains of young people.
In addition to strict rules to protect minors, those who support the legalization of cannabis highlighted a ban on advertising and high taxation of cannabis products as effective measures for protecting public health should legalization actually come to pass. Swissinfo explains that the aim of the survey was to assess whether citizens would support testing controlled cannabis distribution and “to gauge public opinion on legalization itself.”
With the support of most of its people, Switzerland has decided to launch a recreational cannabis trial in one of the nation’s largest cities, Zurich. The city will play host to the trial where people will be allowed to purchase cannabis products from pharmacies and social clubs under controlled conditions.
This pilot trial is said to be set for three-and-a-half years and takes advantage of the changes in law approved by the Parliament last year. Swissinfo explains that this allows the nation to conduct research on the effects of the cannabis market, the use of recreational cannabis, and of course, the efficacy of the rules and regulations governing the cannabis market.
As part of the recreational cannabis trial, a study referred to as “Züri Can—Cannabis with Responsibility” is set to begin in fall 2022. The study will involve making different cannabis products available for purchase, all of which will have varying THC/CBD content. As well as being an efficient way to assess how the legalization of cannabis will impact the people, markets, and industry, the study is a great opportunity to conduct necessary research around the substance as well.
Should local manufacturers wish to jump aboard this cannabis trial, they need to obtain a permit from the FOPH in order to ensure that their products meet the quality standards. Additionally, this trial will be supervised by the psychiatric hospital of the University of Zurich.
As it stands right now, the Swiss population has over 200,000 regular cannabis consumers. However, the support for legalization comes as a shock after two-thirds of the population voted against a 2008 initiative to allow consumers to consume cannabis in a private capacity without risk of fines and jail time. Fortunately, increased acceptance of and research into cannabis is helping to eliminate the stigma and propaganda that have so long followed the plant and its consumption.
Growing and selling hemp inflorescences (clusters of flowers on a stem) with less than 1% THC content has been legal in Switzerland since 2017. As research revealing adverse effects from high potency THC began to surface, “light” cannabis rose in popularity in Switzerland. According to Swissinfo, the number of registered producers in the Swiss market jumped from five in early 2017 to around 630 in 2018.
Now it appears that production is slowing down because too many people or organizations are trying to produce cannabis, and the market demand is not yet matching the production quantity. Swissinfo explains that producers of cannabis saw cannabis as a “lifeline,” without always “knowing who exactly they were going into business with.” Perhaps the research they conduct during the recreational cannabis trial will be enough to figure out how to restore the balance between production and demand.
The upcoming moves in the Swiss cannabis sector offer an opportunity for citizens to get first-hand experience into what cannabis is like and how it can positively impact health and quality of life. Even citizens opposed to personal cannabis use can benefit from the revenue that cannabis taxes will bring into their communities. Should this trial go as planned, supporters and non-supporters of legalization should all be able to see how cannabis legalization can fit into society.
“Do you prefer an indica or a sativa?” is typically the first question asked at a dispensary. Indica vs. sativa refers to the two main categories of cannabis strains. Both indicas and sativas differ in appearance and effects. Indicas are generally known for a sedating effect, while sativa strains are known for a cerebral high….
Cancer can be a harrowing journey, not only due to the disease itself but also because of the relentless pain that often accompanies it. Conventional pain management strategies, such as opioids and other medications, can sometimes fall short in providing lasting relief or cause undesirable side effects. But what if a safe and effective complementary…
A bill was passed to legalize the possession and sharing of certain psychedelics for Californians aged 21 and above. The bill underwent an accelerated process that allowed it to bypass further committee consideration; thus, it was moved directly to the Senate floor. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D), and he explained that…
The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) recently loosened its applicant drug use policy to be more accommodating to past cannabis consumers. Candidates of all ages can now apply to join the agency if they have abstained from marijuana for one year before applying. Before this policy, cannabis use within the past three years led to automatic disqualification. …
Tara Davis-Woodhall, a 23-year-old U.S. long jumper, was stripped of the national indoor title she obtained in February after testing positive for THC. As announced by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), she has been suspended for a month. The sample was collected on Feb. 17 at the 2023 USA Track and Field (USATF) indoor championships…
It was 1978. Nearly a decade after the Stonewall riots, the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights was still in full swing. The world…
Currently, numerous scientific studies support using cannabis for pain and inflammation. For example, a noteworthy study published by the Journal of the…
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and we’re diving into the role of cannabis in brain health. In today’s fast-paced world,…