In Switzerland, cannabis falls under the Narcotics Act and is illegal. In the late 1990s, authorities in many townships tolerated the sale of marijuana as a “perfume bag” in hemp stores. Basel was particularly known for its liberal drug policy, where at rush hour there were more hemp shops than bakeries. However, the amount of sales made has led to a rapid increase in crime among suppliers. Cases of extortion, threats and robbery have become more frequent. This provided the police with the main reason for the extensive raids between 2002 and 2003, during which almost all hemp shops were closed. The legal cannabis will then be offered by licensed dealers. According to Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP), anyone who wants to sell cannabis for recreational purposes must prove their knowledge of the drug and the associated risks. Pharmacies, for example, could serve as outlets. Cannabis flowers containing up to 0.3% THC are sold legally in the Czech Republic, as are iced tea containing cannabis and gummy bears. [98] Since the beginning of 2022, the THC allowed cap is 1%. [99] In the Czech Republic, since January 1, 2010, possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana is no longer prosecuted, but only punishable by a fine of up to €570. However, the Supreme Court lowered the amount of marijuana to 10 grams in April 2014.
[92] Various hard drugs have also been “legalized” in specific quantities. It is one of the most liberal drug laws in Europe. [93] The 2010 amendment was preceded by a 2007 survey showing that 30% of Czechs under the age of 24 had used cannabis. In the summer of 2007, the Czech Constitutional Court also annulled the ban on cannabis cultivation, inter alia in reference to this survey: Private cultivation of up to five cannabis plants per person to cover personal consumption is no longer punishable, but carries at most a fine of up to 600 euros or the execution of social hours. On December 11, 2013, Uruguay announced that it would become the first country in the world to legalize the cultivation and sale of marijuana and cannabis products under state control. Each adult with Uruguayan citizenship will be able to buy up to 40 grams of marijuana per month in pharmacies, a maximum of 10 grams per week and two varieties. Individuals are also allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants per year. In addition, marijuana clubs with 15 to 45 members are allowed.
These clubs are then allowed to grow up to 99 plants per year and allow each member up to 480 grams per year for their own consumption. On November 19, 2016, the Institute for Cannabis Regulation and Control announced that one gram of marijuana will cost the equivalent of US$1.30 (initially advertised for about one dollar) or €1.20. The head of state at the time, José Mujica, hoped that the measure would lead to a more effective fight against drug cartels. The purpose of this legislation is to address the negative impact of cannabis use on society. However, culture and commerce must be controlled by a state commission. Consumers must register in a register, minors and foreigners are prohibited from consuming. Nevertheless, the opposition fears that drug tourism will grow. Export from the country is prohibited.
Until now, the use and possession of cannabis for personal use was allowed in Uruguay, but trade and cultivation were prohibited. [155] [156] Manufacturers and producers of tobacco substitutes such as dried CBD hemp flowers must declare their products to the Federal Office of Public Health before they are sold. In particular, the notification shall contain a laboratory analysis confirming the non-psychotropic effect and the absence of nicotine. The packaging must also meet certain requirements. The same warning images as cigarette packages must be printed on every retail package. In order for consumers of tobacco substitutes to perceive the warnings clearly and distinctly, they must represent at least 35 % of the front and 50 % of the back of the surface of the package. In addition, the words “< 1% THC" and "plant products other than tobacco" must appear on the packaging. Although several studies have confirmed the medicinal effects of cannabidiol (CBD), producers of legal CBD hemp products are prohibited from making promises of healing to customers and promoting them as medicines or remedies. [57] Medical cannabis has been legally available since 2013. [69] If it is traffic lights, cannabis will soon become legal.
From when smoking weed should be allowed and what the next coalition plans. The government also wants to put more emphasis on drug checking models. These include contact points where, for example, revellers have the quality and purity of illegally purchased drugs tested anonymously in order to better assess the dangers. In Poland, medical cannabis has been legalized since November 1, 2017. The right-wing populist Kukiz`15 party, among others, had campaigned for this. [85] However, it has only been available in pharmacies since January 2019. [86] The 2021 coalition agreement of the traffic light government provides for the upcoming legalization of cannabis in Germany. “Smoking weed,” as it`s colloquially known, could therefore become legal. When, however, is not clear. As Lauterbach writes on Twitter, preparations for cannabis legalization are in full swing. “`Bubatz consumption` should become legal and safer, but not increase,” says Lauterbach.
For children and adolescents, the risks would outweigh the risks. For adults, however, safe consumption is justifiable. The date of entry into force of this regulation is not known. It is clear that it must be passed during the government`s term of traffic lights. However, the release of cannabis will not come too quickly, also because the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have added many pressing problems. It remains to be seen when the government will focus on approving cannabis – in a “turning point” recently proclaimed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, legalisation will not be a top priority. In an interview with the legal magazine LTO, Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drugs Burkhard Blienert referred to “two acute crisis situations that have a political priority”: the war in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic.