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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Switzerland: Parliament Moves Towards Legalising Cannabis
Swiss Radio International
Thursday 13 Dec 2001 The Senate Has Approved A Government Proposal To Allow The Consumption Of Cannabis. Pending approval by the House of Representatives, the production and trade in hashish and marijuana could also become legal under certain conditions. The amended law, which was accepted by 25 votes and no opposition in the Senate, is aimed at catching up with present-day reality. More than 700,000 people between the age of 15 and 30 have smoked cannabis at least once in their lives. While the consumption of hashish and marijuana would be legalised, the cultivation and sale of cannabis would only be allowed under certain conditions. The interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, said during Wednesday's debate that the liberalisation was in line with the government's anti-drugs policy. It is based on prevention, repression, therapy and harm reduction. She stressed that hard drugs, including heroin, will not be allowed in Switzerland under the amended law. Heated Debate The issue of legalisation of cannabis consumption divided the Senate. Many speakers from the French-speaking part of the country argued that the decriminalisation of cannabis could send the wrong signal to young people. They said by adopting a liberal attitude towards cannabis Switzerland would further isolate itself and become an island in the heart of Europe, which has a more restrictive policy. They warned that drug addicts from neighbouring countries would travel to Switzerland to buy cannabis. A majority of senators, however, pointed out that the amended law was merely a pragmatic step to bring legislation in line with reality. The current situation was hypocritical and not satisfactory from a legal point, they said. The Dutch Example The Netherlands, where soft drugs are decriminalised, were quoted a number of times during the debate to show how a laxer policy on drugs can work. While hard drugs are illegal there, it is allowed to carry up to 30 grams of soft drugs. "You also have coffee shops, where you can drink coffee or buy and smoke a joint," Elsbeth Gugger, a Swiss journalist in the Netherlands, told swissinfo. "I think the Dutch policy is working, because there are not more young people consuming soft drugs than in other countries in Western Europe." Gugger said. "The other effect of the policy is that hard drug addicts are getting help, and are not looked upon as criminals, but rather persons with a health problem."
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