According to public broadcaster SRF, the number of fines related to cannabis dropped from 18,000 in 2017 to barely more than 7,000 last year. French-speaking cantons and Zurich especially took a more lenient approach towards cannabis smokers with 70% fewer fines imposed.
According to Marco Cortesi, media spokesman for the Zurich city police, the reason for this massive decline is a 2017 Federal Court decision that ruled that “the mere possession of small quantities of drugs for consumption purposes” should not be punished. Even though consumption is still a punishable offence, the court’s decision has led to a change in police practice.
The northern Swiss canton of St Gallen – which issued a record 1,100 fines last year (or around one in six cannabis users) – will also modify its policy, which should lead to fewer fines in the future.
The Association of Swiss Police Officers called for a greater say in cannabis policy at a recent conference in Bern.
“Today it is difficult to determine whether it is legal or illegal. It is about the THC content. It’s about the amount you carry with you,” said Jürg Wobmann, head of Lucerne police.
Wobmann wants a “clear and simple law” that makes the work of frontline police staff easier and not more difficult, as well as ensuring youth and public health are protected.
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.
This content was published on
Swiss public broadcasters RTS and SRF are drastically reducing their communications via the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Israel: president of Swiss universities rejects academic boycott
This content was published on
Luciana Vaccaro, president of Swissuniversities, the umbrella group of Swiss universities, is not in favour of an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
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
Swiss health commission calls for legalisation of cannabis
This content was published on
A Swiss government commission has called for cannabis to be decriminalised and for the market to be regulated in the Alpine country.
‘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.
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.
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.