Pubdate: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times Contact: Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053 Fax: (213) 237-7679 Feedback: http://www.latimes.com/siteservices/talk_contacts.htm Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Forum: http://www.latimes.com/discuss/ Author: Times Wire Reports Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Switzerland GOVERNMENT BACKS BILL LEGALIZING POT The Swiss government endorsed a draft law that would legalize the consumption of marijuana and hashish and allow a limited number of "dope shops." The bill submitted to parliament seeks to bring Swiss law into line with the reality that one in four people ages 15 to 24 regularly uses cannabis in the Alpine state, according to a poll commissioned last month by the government. The Cabinet has recommended that police be allowed to turn a blind eye to people growing and trading small amounts of soft drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager