cannabisnews.com: Swiss Government Promises Marijuana Decrim. Swiss Government Promises Marijuana Decrim. Posted by FoM on September 04, 1999 at 10:03:20 PT NORML's Weekly Update News Source: NORML Sept. 2, 1999, Switzerland: Switzerland's marijuana prohibition may be a thing of the past as government officials have promised to decriminalize marijuana use and possession. Drug use will remain illegal for children under 18 years of age. A Swiss government study shows 27 percent of 15-35 year olds in the country use cannabis. "We remain in the lead for the innovative approaches addressing drug-related issues," said Thomas Zeltner, director of Switzerland's Federal Department for Health. "The consumption of cannabis can't be avoided through prohibition," the Swiss Department of the Interior said in its proposal. "We aim to adapt legislation to reality in the area of drug consumption." The proposal stated cannabis, "does relatively little damage to health," and under certain circumstances "can have a therapeutic effect." The Swiss Government has also suggested criminal penalties for the use of harder drugs such as cocaine be eliminated as well. In June, voters approved legislation to legally provide heroin to addicts if they have a prescription. "It's amazing to see just how isolated the United States is becoming on the issue of marijuana," said Allen St. Pierre, NORML Foundation Executive Director. "While European countries and Canada are crafting meaningful legal reforms -- reflecting modern mores in a rational public policy -- America is increasingly relying on expanding the budgets and power of the 'three Ps': police, prosecutors, and prisons." For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Foundation Executive Director at (202) 483-8751. http://www.norml.org/news/index.shtml#story1Marijuana Legalization Effort Grows In Pacific NW-8/27/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2646.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by tom on July 02, 2001 at 02:25:10 PT: seeds do you know if hemp seeds are illegal to import into switzerland, for example from amsterdam? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by safetyline87 on September 18, 2000 at 15:29:14 PT: Swiss Marijuana Laws Having just visited switzerland i was amazed at the laws. The swiss are right on. Most of the samples of the indoor cultivated marijuana were grown in soil, and 80% of the time the soil base was organic. They are very fortunate to have such a small nation were the population is also very intelligent. In our country(USA) we have so many people and there are always going to be more dumb people than smart people. This makes are task towards a more leniant drug law harder. we have to get off the legalization kick and on to the decriminalization kick. to legalize would be a monstrous feat, but to decrim. would be a more attainable goal. it also allows us the right to smoke,eat,treat illness in the same manor as legalization would. I will now stop rambling...if you feel the same way get in touch. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Greenhands on June 30, 2000 at 11:10:56 PT: coffeeshops So can I move there and open a "cannabis shop?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Rob on April 28, 2000 at 15:15:42 PT: LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IF AMERICA WOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, THEY COULD MAKE BILLIONS IN PROFIT AND STOP A HELL OF A LOTA CRIMES. THEY COULD LEGALIZE IT AND SELL IT MAKING PROFIT, INSTEAD OF SPENDING BILLIONS TO STOP IT. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dr. Ganj on September 05, 1999 at 22:44:55 PT Chocolate, Watches, and Legal Marijuana! Well folks, like I said before, the U.S. has 1.8 million of its population in jail. This is a direct result in trying to prohibit the use of some drugs. Most of us know prohibition in its many forms has not worked, is not working, and will not work. Switzerland clearly knows this, and also realizes cannabis is a mild herbal drug, and should be treated as such. Maybe other countries will see the benefits of the legal trade of cannabis products.I have always wanted to go to Europe, and this is truly a motivating factor.Oh, and think how far ahead Switzerland is the next time you watch "Cops" on that mindless box called television.Dr. Ganj http://www.swissair.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by steve1 on September 05, 1999 at 14:24:29 PT now for the rest of the world now it's time for the rest of the world to decriminalize. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by M D Brown on September 05, 1999 at 08:45:45 PT: Swiss legal reform Thank God for the Swiss. At last authorities are coming to their sences regarding herb use. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: