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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Opposition Mounts as Switzerland Moves Closer to Marijuana Legalization
Drug Policy Alliance http://www.drugpolicy.org
Thursday 20 Feb 2003 A parliamentary commission met this week in Switzerland to discuss the decriminalization of cannabis. The Senate has already come out in favor of legal cannabis consumption - 32 votes to eight. Parliament is expected to approve the legislation. But an anti-decriminalisation campaign is growing in response to the proposed law and opponents of liberalization have stepped up pressure on parliamentarians and other groups. It has been reported that one of the country's leading drug prevention agencies was offered cash by campaigners to oppose the government's plans. Opponents received a boost this year when the Swiss-German teachers union issued a statement criticizing the decriminalization of cannabis. Under the new legislation, possession and production of cannabis for personal use would be allowed, as well as limited trade in the drug. But it would remain illegal to import or export cannabis and advertising would be banned. A parliamentary vote is likely to take place during the special session in May. The opposition would need to collect 50,000 signatures to force a nationwide referendum on the issue if the parliament votes for legalization. Cannabis use is currently illegal in Switzerland, but the authorities have adopted a 'tolerant' attitude towards it.
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