Switzerland Relaxes Marijuana Rules

Aimed at harmonizing legal measures that vary extensively across the country, the Swiss government has decriminalized possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana by people above the age of 18 years. From October 1, adults found possessing small amounts of cannabis will not be charged legally, and can get away by paying a $110 (100 Swiss Francis) fine.

The new law, which brings Switzerland alongside several other western countries where pot possession is decriminalized, also means that neither police nor courts will have to deal with those found possessing less than 10 grams of cannabis. Even as the government has decided to relax the rules that doesn’t mean people can cultivate or distribute the contraband weed, as that will continue to be considered an illegal act.

The presence of 500,000 marijuana smokers among a population of eight million is seen by the Swiss government as a dangerous trendsetter, and the latest changes are, therefore, expected to bring down large-scale drug trafficking in a big way. It is widely expected that the new changes will result in a sharp decline in the total number of cases booked on charges of possessing marijuana across Switzerland, which now stands at an unhealthy 30,000 per year.

An April 2013 UNICEF report has revealed that 24 percent of Swiss in the age group of 11, 13 and 15 had smoked pot during last year. Although the figures were quite discouraging, it is far better compared to Canada which tops the list in the world for children in the same age group using cannabis, which is found to be an alarming 38 percent.

Notwithstanding the fact that children under 18 years of age have been left unaffected by the new weed regulations, the existing rules are enough to slap legal proceedings against them and make them pay a fine in the event of they being found dealing with cannabis in any manner. On the other hand, those who sell marijuana to youngsters will be meted with harsh punishment, which will include jail or a fine.

While a majority of people across the country seems to be welcoming the government’s bold initiative to check pot smoking in a more effective way, there are critics who refuse the toe the new line of thinking. If supporters of the change term it a realistic approach to deal with the overall problem pragmatically, opponents are not willing to agree that the step is in the right direction, particularly referring to the small amount of fine which, according to them, cannot serve as a deterrent.

However, in a country where people found possessing marijuana were till recently dealt with an iron hand and handed jail sentences that tarnished their permanent records, the new law seems to be finding favor with a large number of pot smokers. That’s because they feel the changes will allow them to carry on with their habit, though with restrictions.

Although the government has got the bill passed by the Parliament last year to make it a law, it’s well aware of the fact that the same Swiss electorate had not hesitated to overthrow a government proposal that sought to make possession legal only five years ago. But then, the present government is quite confident that sooner than later the changes will have a huge bearing on consumption of cannabis at the national level.