Fate of drug laws hazy but voters will decide
Cannabis and heroin are once again high on the agenda as the campaign ahead of a nationwide vote on Switzerland's drugs policy gathers pace
Swissinfo (Switzerland)
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
A first opinion poll found that the prescription of heroin for addicts stands a good chance of passing on November 30. However, a proposal to decriminalise cannabis attracts neither a clear majority of supporters nor opponents six weeks before the ballot. The people's initiative foresees the legalisation for personal consumption, while the trade and cultivation of hemp would be subject to state control. Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin said decriminalising pot smoking could pose problems for Switzerland as a signatory state of international drug control conventions. In its campaign the government cautioned against rushing through legislation for which there was no majority in parliament four years ago.
