Opinion of the population on legalization and regulation

Perhaps the majority has tipped: A lot more people than before seem willing to consider decriminalizing cannabis in Switzerland. At least, this is the conclusion of the Sotomo population survey, which was published in July 2021.

Half a year ago I had written that we need accurate data on the attitude of the population - and not just a gut feeling, but that unfortunately we lack(ed) the means to do so (Legalize it! 91, page 10). Now such a study has been published and we recommend everyone to study these 93 pages carefully. The link to the report: hanflegal.ch/sotomo

36% are now in favor of legalizing recreational hemp, and another 30% are somewhat in favor. 28% are rather or completely against. It is therefore crucial that those “rather in favor” can be convinced as completely as possible and actually vote yes. Those who tend to be on the left have higher approval rates than those on the right; that has always been the case. What is interesting now is that those on the right have recently become much more open to legalization than they used to be. I also notice that when I'm on the phone with a young SVP member - some of them are clearly in favor of it. But in the party, this has not been expressed at all so far (in parliamentary votes, the SVP is unanimously against). But at the grassroots it looks different: There, a narrow majority is also in favor of legalization! This could now be the decisive social change that is necessary for it to become legal. It needs these right-wingers to create a majority with the left and the center.

What should legalization look like? To this end, the study gives the following points:

• a minimum age of 18 seems mandatory
• the production and sale should be rather strongly regulated
• Advertising will probably not be allowed
• high taxes seem necessary
• when driving a car, it would probably have to stay close to zero tolerance

One drop of bitterness remains: The study was unable to provide a clear breakdown by canton. It therefore remains unclear how the necessary majority of the cantons could be achieved. But be sure to read it!