Swiss government supports scientific trials on cannabis use



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The Swiss Federal Council announced on Wednesday that it wanted to give the green light to scientific trials on cannabis use in the country.

In a statement, the government noted that cannabis use in Switzerland was rising despite laws prohibiting its use. The black market is booming and people are in danger because the quality of cannabis consumed can not be guaranteed, Bern said.

For these reasons, the government wants to change the drug legislation, allowing scientific tests on the impact

Read also: Can medicinal cannabis be the next cash cow for women? Swiss farmers?

A number of Swiss towns and cantons have already applied to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)

The proposed new amendments should now allow these studies to be carried out in the future. to go from the front.

But the government noted that trials would be completed. in the short term and have a limited number of participants. Under-18s will be prohibited from participating and current laws on cannabis use will remain in place.

Government plans to be consulted until October 25.

200,000 regular users of cannabis

Some 200,000 people in Switzerland regularly consume cannabis for recreational purposes, the Federal Council said on Wednesday. In 2012, 11% of young people aged 15 to 39 regularly used cannabis, according to official figures.

Cannabis is illegal in Switzerland although the law was relaxed in 2013. Instead of criminal prosecution, adults Less pot can be subject to a spot fine of 100 francs, although this is applied to varying degrees Across the country.

Facilitating access to medical cannabis

The Ministry of Health also wants to facilitate access to medical cannabis.

The FOPH notes that about 3,000 people were treated with medical cannabis in 2017 – often elderly or patients with the final stage of cancer or other terminal illnesses.

Currently, these people must seek permission to use medical cannabis on a case by case basis. This makes access difficult and delays treatment.

The Federal Ministry of Interior has now until the summer of 2019 to propose a regulation to change the current situation while the Ministry of Health is wondering whether the companies of health insurance can cover

Read also: Five Swiss cities among the top ten in Europe for the use of cocaine

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