Switzerland to Vote On Cannabis Decriminalization Nov. 30

[Jim Finnel]

Four federal parties rally in support of an initiative to replace a ban on cannabis use for adults, while strictly enforcing its prohibition for those under 18. Swiss voters are set to vote on the issue, rejected by parliament four years ago, in a November referendum.

A coalition of federal Swiss political parties of various stripes has renewed a bid to decriminalize marijuana in the country. Elected members of the Radical, Christian Democrat, Socialist and Green parties on Friday endorsed an initiative that would regulate cannabis use while making it illegal for children under the of 18.

The initiative is scheduled to be voted on by Swiss voters on Nov. 30. The parties have urged people to say yes to the proposal. Members in Bern said the initiative offers a “reasonable policy” governing the use of marijuana that is preferable to the current prohibition.

They noted that the proposal effectively protects young people by banning it for those underage. However the group maintains that for adults smoking a joint is a personal choice over which each person can make their own decision.

Marijuana officially remains a banned drug in Switzerland though possession in small quantities for personal use is tolerated in many [states]. The politicians calling for changes to the law say the current prohibition has failed to cut use. Christa Markwalder, Radical member of parliament from Bern, said an estimated 500,000 people in Switzerland are regular or occasional users of cannabis. The more than 27,500 complaints lodged annually with police (based on 2005 figures) have only served to needlessly overload the police and judicial systems, Markwalder indicated.

As European travel guru Rick Steves is fond of saying, “In America, we get two choices: ‘hard on drugs’ or ’soft on drugs’. In Europe they’ve found a third way: ’smart on drugs’.” I’m really hoping that the Swiss vote to recognize their adult citizens right to smoke pot. Then maybe they’ll put a poker and a loupe on that Army Knife of theirs…


News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: NORML
Copyright: 2008 NORML
Contact: Contact Us - NORML
Website: Switzerland to vote on national cannabis decrim initiative

 

[tribble]

Hi,

here are some more news on the swiss referendum on Cannabis.

Switzerland: Fate of Drug Laws Hazy But Voters Will Decide

greetings

 

[Dr. 215]

This is really interesting, i hope the voters pass it. Wow it actually seems like a sensible drug policy. Maybe the U.S. government should take note...

 

[wordsworm]

"Maybe the U.S. government should take note..." I wouldn't count on it. Usually whatever Europe does or says is openly derided by Americans and their politicians.

"maybe they’ll put a poker and a loupe on that Army Knife of theirs…"
I'm thinking that they'll simply include a rolling kit and a lighter in their army knives.

 

[hood1]

Sounds like a good policy how can we support the passing then we can just move!!


Give me liberty or give me death!

 

[sicntired]

I just received a letter from a source in Switzerland and the her*oin maintenance program went through at 68% approval.The marijuana initiative went down to defeat.I don't understand the logic although I agree 100% with the maintenance approach for hard core addicts.

 

[wordsworm]

Apparently taking her*in off the streets has resulted in a great deal reduction of deaths related to impurities in the drug. I don't know what kind of reductions in AIDS spreading that they may be enjoying, but certainly that must be a factor as well.

Marijuana, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be killing people and doesn't pose the same risk to people. Afaik, the biggest reason Swiss have rejected the MJ proposal was because of the fear of becoming another Netherlands - a drug tourism destination. Quite frankly, I'm also saddened by their choice. However, I can understand why many of them have declined this opportunity, and I can completely understand why they've decided to keep on with the current risk reduction strategy that they've taken with the her*in program.

 

[sicntired]

I can't agree more.This approach is finding favor in Europe and as long as there are no false expectations where remission goes it will be a success where ever it is tried.The NAOMI trial in Vancouver was a success but the election of the Harper conservatives not only shut it down,they quashed plans for an expanded trial and the critics best shot was that the subjects were now out on the street fending for themselves.Who's fault was that?Hopefully Harper is finished and we can get back to drug reform in Canada.

 

[wordsworm]

"Harper is finished"

I wish that what you say is true. However, the right made a wise decision when it decided to, for the most part, unite. There is still the PQ which is also a split off from the Conservatives. I shudder to imagine a Canada where the two of them have reunited. This is perhaps the reason why they may never get a majority.

I have always argued that there is no real liberal party in Canada, or the US. They are centrists. The NDP is the closest to left we have (of the parties occupying seats - excluding the Green which got a significant number of votes, but not a seat amongst them).

The problem with the Liberals is that they don't have a real leader. I have great hopes for J. Trudeau, but by his own admittance he's too green to run for leadership, and the rest of them are just douche bags. So, we're still stuck with choosing between a douche bag and a turd sandwich. J. Trudeau is that one guy who could get elected in the next 8-12 years who would, I feel confident to say, legalize the weed. Although his mother, afaik, is staunchly against it, his wife is a medical user.

To be honest, I detest the NDP for breaking up the minority that P. Martin had won. If Martin had just won a majority, what a different leaning the nation would be enjoying now. Some say that he didn't do much in his short term, but that's not unusual for a minority government. But the rest of them are just plainly incompetent leaders, imo.

Anyways, J. Trudeau for PM, that's all I've got to say. Then we'll see MJ, I'm sure.

 

[sicntired]

Justin was my first thought as well.He has charisma and can surround himself with ad visors.I think he has his Fathers instincts and would find his way around quickly.Preferable to the three in mention right now.We would get back on a drug reform ticket for sure.

 

[michaelkaer]

With Iggy at the helm, the Libs have a new leader they can live with. When Harer comes back to give his budget, the coalition will be ready to strike it down and demand that the coalition rule for at least 18 months. As far as I can see, Harper is toast. All he has is hate and fear mongering left to rally his troops. He will be shouted down when i keeps on coming up that he was willing to get in bed with the Bloc to break up the Liberals, but when it is turned against him , he cries foul. I doubt he is going to learn anything. Next election The Green party will have members in and some form of coalition will be the Status Quo in Canada for years to come. The Greens are the only party with the guts to come out and say they will legalize it. Yah Mon!

 

[wordsworm]

"The Greens are the only party with the guts to come out and say they will legalize it. "

Huh.. I thought the Marijuana Party was also coming out to say they would legalize it. I could be wrong.

 

[michaelkaer]

My Bad, that is correct, but I was talking about the parties in my riding. We have no MP's here that I know of, at least I did not see them on the ballot.

 

[michaelkaer]

I agree, Harper is finished politically unless he pulls some stunt like martial law, I do not see how he can stay in power when they reconvene. Members of his own party are getting pissed at him, but the say nothing because they are afraid of him. He has shown his true colours and they are ugly. He may be able to shove that crap out at his own people, but even he has to listen to reason. He was forced to take on Ms. May at the debates because of the overwhelming backlash he would have had to deal with, not to mention some Greens would have been elected just out of spite. He has pissed off women once again by saying they are not worth as much as men. That was just stupid. Taking on the civil servents was also stupid. If all he did was come out and cut all the other parties off at the knees financially, he may have been able to pull it off if he could sell it as a cost cutting measure, even then I do not think the other parties would have let him get away with it. For a smart man he can be very dumb. He just does not get it.

Once he is out of the picture, we have some chance of progress.

 

[sicntired]

We shall all find out soon enough.Iggy was on the news tonight talking about how a Liberal government would bail out the Vancouver Athletes village.I live in Van and these Olympics are the biggest money pit since Montreal in 66.For our American friends they just paid that off last year.If they'd stop chasing their tails and let the growers sell and pay taxes they wouldn't have any money problems,to say nothing about the other uses of the plant.It does sound like the coalition is on.

 

[Dr. 215]

Let them grow the great seed!