Information from the Association Legalize it! (June 2026)

Hello {name}

(Mid-)Vacation

Over the next few weeks, through August 14, we’ll be on (partial) vacation. However, the office will definitely remain open every Friday, and you can reach us by phone (079 581 90 44). We’ll respond to emails more frequently: We’ll also be working on other days, but we’ll decide on those flexibly.

Our next members’ meeting will take place on August 14 (see also the calendar at Association Legalize it!).

Here are our web updates from the last few weeks:

22.06.2026 – Our Archive: From Analog to Digital

A year ago, we began digitizing our previously analog archive spanning the last four decades. At first, the goal was simply to replicate the structure of the cardboard folders and tabs, as well as the clear pockets inside them, in digital form.

But we soon realized: OCR recognition is feasible, as is date recognition using AI – and it works quite well even with handwritten dates… Our association’s AI can now also search through, gather, and summarize information spanning decades. It’s truly amazing how much more accessible our archive has become thanks to digitization.

But even our association’s AI isn’t infallible: Now we have to verify the suggested dates. That requires additional human effort. Even though no one knows where the AI journey will take our society, one thing is certain: we must not trust it blindly. Critical scrutiny and oversight are always necessary.

16.06.2026 – A Note from us: Sven receives the 2026 CannAward for his Lifetime Achievement

For over 35 years, Sven Schendekehl has been advocating for the legalization of hemp in Switzerland.

As a founding member, he and others laid the groundwork in 1990–91 for what is now Association Legalize it!
He has remained actively involved throughout this time and helped shape the Swiss hemp scene: for over 35 years as a board member and later as secretary.
To this day, he remains active as an author, consultant, educator, speaker, and general expert on the legal status of hemp and THC in Switzerland.

At this year’s CannaTrade, he was awarded the CannAward Lifetime Achievement 2026. We on the board would also like to extend our warmest congratulations and wish him all the best and much strength for the future — until full legalization! Legalize it!

Video: Award Ceremony & Acceptance Speech (YouTube)

09.06.2026 – Magazine Legalize it! No. 110 is published & No. 109 is online

Our members are currently receiving the latest issue 110 of our magazine Legalize it!
The summer issue contains the Minutes of our association meeting 2026 and a first look at the persecution figures for 2025 with the question of whether repression is coming to an end. We also provide an overview of the results of the CanPG consultation process. The complete magazine will be available as a PDF from September.
Become a member so that you are always up to date (e.g. also by e-mail) – this enables our activities and supports the association. Legalize it!

We have also published another issue of our magazine Legalize it! as PDF. The Issue 109 is now available for download both as a whole and as individual articles in the Politics and Scene sections. The current issue (#110) is still reserved for our members.

02.06.2026 – Züri Can extended until 2028

Good news! The city of Zurich has announced that the Züri Can pilot project will be extended by two years. This means that our Hanfstübli project will continue until October 2028. We are very pleased that we can continue to sell legal, tested goods to our participants.

Despite all the joy, we are also asking ourselves the question: What will happen in 2028? The Ordinance on Pilot Trials (BetmPV) only allows a single extension, so Züri Can, like all other extended pilot projects, cannot be extended again under current law.

After the end of the pilot projects, thousands of users would have to return to the black market. We want to prevent this and are in the process of developing options for a bridging solution.

We hope you stay cool this hot summer!

Hemp greetings

Fabian, Markus, Michael and Sven

Board Association Legalize it!

P.S. If you would like to support us with a donation: You can find all the options here.

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