Switzerland may soon join the ranks of countries that have legalized cannabis. According to Bloomberg, the Health and Social Affairs Committee of the lower house of the Swiss parliament approved a revised cannabis law proposal on Friday.
The law aims to regulate the production and trade of cannabis without encouraging its consumption. However, for final legalization, the law must be approved by the full parliament and may be challenged in a referendum.
The committee unanimously agreed that cannabis use is a social reality, the committee’s statement reads. Most committee members consider the current situation unsatisfactory, and the prohibitionist approach to be a mistake, the statement adds.
This decision has been welcomed by cannabis advocacy groups and the Swiss Green Party, which have called it an important milestone in the regulation of cannabis in the country.
It is worth noting that Germany legalized cannabis consumption for adults with certain restrictions starting in April 2024. However, German conservatives have pledged to repeal marijuana legalization after the elections on February 23.
