Majority of Swiss support the legalisation of cannabis

Most Swiss accept the idea of legalising cannabis for recreational purposes provided there are rules to protect minors, according to a survey published on Thursday. Nearly two-thirds of people surveyed want the minimum age of consumption to be set at 18, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) said. Two-thirds are in favor of conducting pilot tests on the controlled distribution of cannabis for recreational purposes. The survey was conducted by the Sotomo Institute from the end of January to the beginning of April. It consulted 3,166 adults living in Switzerland. About 70% of the respondents find it important to reform the cannabis law in Switzerland, according to the survey. They cite limiting the black market and improving consumer safety as important reasons for legalisation. Opponents worry about the effects of this drug on the brains of young people. Apart from strict protection of minors, a ban on advertising and high taxation of cannabis products are viewed as...