The risks of cannabis are mainly linked to high amounts of THC [active ingredient], early use among teenagers, prolonged use, mixing cannabis and tobacco, and if it is used by people with existing mental problems.
The commission recommends Switzerland legalise and regulate the market while protecting the health of its population, especially young people.
It added that there should be certain controls over the market. This would also help scientific research and access to cannabinoids for medical purposes.
Growing, consuming and dealing cannabis are all forbidden in Switzerland. But anyone over 18 caught in possession of up to ten grams of cannabis will receive a CHF100 ($110) fine and not have it put on their criminal record.
Some 200,000 people in Switzerland use illegal cannabis, the government estimates, despite its criminalisation.
Consumption is much more prevalent among men, teenagers and young adults. Most are occasional users, with around 1% of the adult population admitting frequent use, over more than 20 days per month.
Pilot projects
The government is meanwhile is proposing limited pilot projects allowing up to 5,000 people to smoke marijuana legally, which may lead to changes in laws banning cannabis that date back to 1951. The plan has been put out for public comment until mid-year.
The government also plans to make it easier for people to access medical marijuana, but that would be part of a separate process.
Switzerland already allows cannabis products of less than 1% THC. It began last July to explore new ways of regulating more potent marijuana, after the University of Bern was blocked by existing law from undertaking a scientific study.
Several US states have relaxed restrictions on marijuana, seeing an opportunity to save money on law enforcement and profit from taxing the drug. In Europe, Portugal and the Czech Republic have decriminalised cannabis and Luxembourg is discussing legalisation.
More
More
How legal cannabis is changing Switzerland
This content was published on
What effect is CBD having on the Swiss economy and the legal system?
This content was published on
Switzerland's economy grew slightly at the start of 2024, with growth in the service sector contrasting with weak growth in industry.
Swiss employment rate rises in first quarter of 2023
This content was published on
The number of women and foreign nationals in employment increased particularly strongly, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday.
Coercion still an issue in Swiss welfare system, report finds
This content was published on
The rights of vulnerable people are still sometimes disregarded by the Swiss welfare system, a national research programme has found.
This content was published on
Viola Amherd has expressed her “deep shock” at the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday.
This content was published on
A man injured half a dozen people with knives, two of them seriously, before being arrested on Wednesday in northern Switzerland.
Switzerland to introduce flight passenger database
This content was published on
Switzerland plans to introduce a flight passenger database to collect and process personal data in a bid to combat terrorism and serious crime.
Government plans to invest over CHF16bn in Swiss rail network
This content was published on
The federal government intends to invest CHF16.4 billion ($18.1 billion) in railway infrastructure between 2025 and 2028, CHF2 billion more than for the current period.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Court confirms legal weed should be taxed as tobacco
This content was published on
The Federal Administrative Court has upheld a decision by Swiss customs to tax legal marijuana leaves to the same extent as tobacco.
No cannabis for scientific studies, says parliament
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament has rejected a motion to allow the use of cannabis in scientific studies investigating the drug’s effects.
‘In three years, medical cannabis could be sold in Swiss pharmacies’
This content was published on
Tens of thousands of patients in Switzerland regularly use cannabis to relieve pain and discomfort. Most of them do so illegally, however.
‘Swiss marijuana champion’ finds new markets with ‘cannabis light’
This content was published on
There’s decaffeinated coffee, alcohol-free beer, and now marijuana that doesn’t make you high. A producer reveals the hidden side of the market.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.