Hemp policy: Now you are needed!

The next few years will decide whether there will be legal access to hemp products or whether cannabis will remain a banned substance for decades to come. The discussion will take place in the media, on social media, at regulars' tables, at lectures and on podiums.

Our policy group is in the process of compiling arguments for and against. We want to get smart so that we are prepared for as many disputes as possible.

On the one hand, it is about the specific legal text, i.e. the more technical level: what do we think is good, what is bad? And: How can we defend this proposal? Because there won't be anything better in the next ten years. Even if we are not happy with everything, we still have to support this compromise. We will take part in the consultation process, which will probably start in the fall.

On the other hand, it is also about the more emotional levels (gateway drug, youth!, psychosis, etc.), i.e. all the negative feelings that many people still have about cannabis use. Here, too, strategies are needed to address these emotions.

On the one hand, we want to be able to comment quickly in the media when news is published. This requires many active people, as the comment functions are only open for a few hours. Social media management also requires many people to post. That is the basis.

Another step is to build up a pool of activists who also travel around Switzerland to defend the cause at podiums or with lectures. This is of course very time-consuming, and there are also costs involved. We have received a donation commitment for expense allowances (at least for train tickets).

Thousands of personal discussions like this will ultimately decide whether a majority can be found.

To do this, we also need different activists. Because depending on the milieu, you have to appear differently and argue differently. We have to address skeptical stoners differently than non-users. These are divided into many groups: People who feel bothered by the smell; ex-consumers who generalize their negative experiences for everyone; middle-class people, people from the center, left-wingers… Different messages are needed.

Media work is also special: maintaining contacts with journalists, providing them with interesting news, background information and our positions is very important, but also time-consuming.

Even though this political process has been going on for over three years now, there are still many more steps to be taken. These are also more or less clear. The timescales, however, are only approximate. There may still be some delays.

If it doesn't fail in parliament, the process will look something like this:

• Spring 2025: Report being prepared
• Summer 2025: final discussion in the National Council's Social Security and Health Committee (SGK-N), presentation of draft legislation and explanatory report
• First half of 2026: Consultation
• Second half of 2026: Consultation evaluation
• 1st quarter 2027: SGK-N
• 2nd quarter 2027: National Council
• 3rd quarter 2027: Committee for Social Security and Health of the Council of States (SGK-S)
• 4th quarter 2027: Council of States
• At the beginning of 2028, possible adjustment of differences, then final vote in the Councils
• Mid-2028: Referendum
• Beginning of 2029: referendum
• 2030s: Entry into force of the law and the ordinance (this is where the details are clarified), establishment of the newly legal structures for production and distribution.

It should also be noted that this is not a sure-fire success! In 2004, the National Council twice refused to even consider the proposals made at the time. This put an end to the whole process since 1996 and all the work was for nothing. To prevent this from happening again, we need as much pressure as possible from our side.

So it still takes time. We have to be able to keep at it throughout this process: There will always be larger and smaller discussions. We want to be able to get involved. This is a process that will take years. So it's not a sprint, but more of a marathon. The more active we are, the more likely we are to get through it.

We have now tackled all this work, but there is still a lot to do, to think about, to formulate, to get to know each other, to distribute tasks. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch. Our policy group is looking forward to many brains and hands!

If you are interested, please contact us at li@hanflegal.ch