cannabisnews.com: Swiss To Allow Production Sale and Use of Cannabis





Swiss To Allow Production Sale and Use of Cannabis
Posted by FoM on March 09, 2001 at 10:41:57 PT
By Andreas Britt
Source: Bloomberg
The Swiss government, in an unprecedented move, proposed a law that would allow the production, sale and consumption of cannabis, charging ahead with a policy bound to meet opposition from the United Nations. Some 7 percent of all Swiss between the ages of 15 and 39 consume cannabis regularly, a government study showed. Last year, hemp farmers produced 200 tons worth more than 600 million Swiss francs ($364 million) in the nation of 7.2 million people. 
In the 1990s, Swiss authorities embraced a more liberal drug policy than other countries to reduce abuse. It has since handed out heroin to long-term addicts while offering treatment, which is unique in Europe. The police increasingly turned a blind eye to users of marijuana, which today is sold in some city shops. ``The government's stance shows clear progress,'' said Peter Zysset, 35, a father of three and a sales assistant at a hemp shop in the Swiss capital. ``I've been smoking between two and three joints a day for about 20 years.'' With the decision, the government ignored a plea by the United Nations, which last month urged Switzerland not to legalize cannabis, as it would violate a 1961 convention on drugs. Herbert Saepe, secretary of the UN's International Narcotics Control Board, declined to comment, saying the board would have to study the proposal first. The next meeting of the board will take place in May. Sales Outlets: The Swiss government said it can tolerate a ``certain amount'' of stores selling marijuana as well as its production, making it easier to fight the export of the drug. Producers and sellers would have to report regularly to the government. Parliament will now have its say on the government's proposal. Both chambers last year gave their support for the legalization of cannabis, and a recent poll showed that half of Swiss people favor such a move. If lawmakers approve the proposal, opponents would be able to force a referendum -- which is likely -- if they gather 50,000 signatures. ``The general lifting of the punishment of the consumption of cannabis and its preparative acts should take into account social realities as well as relieve the police and justice system,'' the government said. While the possession and use of marijuana is illegal in all countries, the Netherlands in 1976 introduced a more liberal approach by making the distinction between the soft drugs such as cannabis and the hard drugs cocaine, heroin and LSD. Thus, Amsterdam became a hub for marijuana smokers. In neighboring Belgium, the government in January decided to decriminalize the personal use of soft drugs. Germany tolerates the consumption of single marijuana cigarettes. In a proposal to Swiss parliament handed out in Bern, the government also said it set into law the practice of giving heroin to long-term addicts to help them quit the drug. Back at his shop in Bern, Zysset said that as soon as cannabis is legal, he would consider adding it to the array of hemp products on offer, such as T-shirts, cushions and tea. ``It's big business,'' he said. Source: Bloomberg.comAuthor: Andreas BrittPublished: March 9, 2001Copyright: 2001 Bloomberg L.P.Feedback: feedback bloomberg.net Website: http://www.bloomberg.com/Related Articles: Swiss Clear the Way for Cannabis Legalisation http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8940.shtmlSwiss Want Cannabis Laws Lightenedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8679.shtml
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Comment #15 posted by mr.greengenes on September 10, 2001 at 07:48:33 PT
re:Swiss
Lighten up Swiss. I can assure you that lehder was being sarcastic. I think it would be safe to say that Lehder is on your side.
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Comment #14 posted by Swiss on September 10, 2001 at 03:44:50 PT:
Democracy
When I read this comments: you americans must still learn alot about democracy!When it is not possible to change 40 years old errors (UN single convention) and to adapt the law to new developments, then this is not democratic!Another thing: we are not degenerated and we have the right for an unamerican attitude.
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Comment #13 posted by dddd on March 09, 2001 at 23:00:49 PT
Plan Europa
Lehder takes the lead with this concept.If you look at how smoothly masked Plan Colombia has been,,it makes onewonder if the public will ever again be able to know what is going on anywhere?We would be shocked and horrified if we only knew of the numerous other "Plans",that we have not heard of,but exsist within the dark catacombs of the Evil Empire!d...................d.......................d........................d
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Comment #12 posted by freedomlvr on March 09, 2001 at 22:50:01 PT
Swiss & the NWO
Finally, someone is saying no to this wannabeOneWorldGovernment. Now we just need more of these leadersto stand up and say NO to this NewWorldOrder that is the U.N.
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Comment #11 posted by NiftySplifty on March 09, 2001 at 18:37:40 PT
My last comment
I think it goes without saying that my last comment was Reefer Madness inspired. :)N...
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Comment #10 posted by New Mexican on March 09, 2001 at 18:28:31 PT
E-Mail Gary Johnson and Pete Domenici
Make New Mexico herb LEGAL(1 oz.) now and lead the way for others...Call, fax or E-mail in support of 8 billsgoing thru committee...NOW IS THE TIME! Gov. Johnsonneeds you!
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Comment #9 posted by kaptinemo on March 09, 2001 at 18:14:26 PT:
ROFLMAO!
And some people here think I'm a bit extreme!
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Comment #8 posted by NiftySplifty on March 09, 2001 at 17:46:52 PT
What we should do...
...is dig up Harry Anslinger, and throw his ass on the barbecue, all the while playing some live Jazz, and schmokin' some green. Then, we'll get his brother Henry on the rotisserie. Heheh.Okay, enough mischief.N...
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Comment #7 posted by jahjahrule on March 09, 2001 at 16:34:50 PT
Switzerland leads the way...
this is a breath of fresh air in the annals of cannabis..it will be time to give the herb the recognition it deserves as a medicinal and spiritual plant...i think i'll be leaving AmeriKKKa as soon as this is good to go...peace
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Comment #6 posted by Anonymous on March 09, 2001 at 16:03:53 PT
Might want to rethink that Lehder
The Swiss are required by law to keep a well-maintained fully automatic weapon in each household as part of the defense of their country. Trying to carry the DEAland Drug War to their doorstep might not turn out like you think. 
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Comment #5 posted by MikeEEEEE on March 09, 2001 at 15:56:13 PT
Love This
This is gr8.I wonder how soon the Dutch and other european countries will follow.
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Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on March 09, 2001 at 14:17:57 PT:
Single Convention Must Die
When Switzerland votes this in, and other nations follow suit, it will finally seal the doom of the Single Convention treaty and drive a stake through Anslinger's heart. 
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Comment #3 posted by zenarch on March 09, 2001 at 12:06:29 PT
serious journalism . . . .
how refreshing it is to read a story about cannabis w/o the hackneyed puns.BTW it's Harry J. Anslinger, not to be a nit-picker LOL!
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Comment #2 posted by Lehder on March 09, 2001 at 11:35:06 PT
Plan Europa
We will have to send Bill Bennett to Switzerland to cut off all their heads, and Daryl Gates to have them "taken out and shot". Maybe the Swiss have a right to kill their children, perhaps the Germans have a right to "profound brain deformities", the Flemish have a right to destroy their own society, and if the Dutch want to be a race of crack babies then so be it. But none of these degenerate peoples have the right to unAmerican attitudes. It's time for more helicopters and fungicide, time for Plan Europa. Who will be our allies?
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Comment #1 posted by Dan Hillman on March 09, 2001 at 10:51:48 PT
Lions and Tigers and UN Treaties, oh my!
>The Swiss government, in an unprecedented move, proposed a law that would allow the production, sale and consumption of cannabis, charging ahead with a policy bound to meet opposition from the United Nations. Who cares? The United States ignores UN directives whenever it's convenient.  Further, the 1961 treaty was largely the work of a man who suggested shutting down *jazz music* (in the late 1940's) because the musicians used cannabis. His name was Henry J. Anslinger.
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