Pubdate: Fri,  9 Mar 2001
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2001 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
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Author: Star-Bulletin wire services
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

GETTING HIGH MAY SOON BE LEGAL IN SWITZERLAND

BERNE, Switzerland -- The Swiss government endorsed a draft law today that 
would legalize 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 15-24 regularly gets high in the 
Alpine state, according to a poll commissioned last month by the Swiss 
government.

"Decriminalizing the consumption of cannabis and the  acts leading up to 
this takes account of social reality and unburdens police and the courts," 
the government said.

The Cabinet agreed in principle in October to legalize dope smoking. It has 
now recommended that police be allowed to turn a blind eye to people 
growing and trading small amounts of soft drugs, arguing  that this will 
make it easier to differentiate between small- and large-scale production 
and export of drugs.

The Cabinet also proposed a flexible approach to prosecuting use of other 
illegal drugs while still adhering to international treaties to fight abuse.
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MAP posted-by: GD