Swiss pot legalization referendum

this is great news and i hope we win that referendum, it's time to change, and legalization of marijuana is the first step. i hope that more countries take this as an example, an example of progress and change. this kind of news brings to my head again the idea that a new world is possible.

I have lived in Switzerland for 5 years now. Never seen anyone arrested, fined or even talked to by the police over marijuana possession or for smoking it as they walk down the street. Heck I have seen folks smoke it on the trains before they banned all forms of smoking on trains. It's easy to find and you almost trip over folks willing to sell you some in parks. I also have seen plenty of plants growing on porches for personal use in broad daylight.

So yeah, Switzerland has wide tolerance for the herb and legalization almost would not be that big of a deal other than you could buy it in shops as well as placing a enforced aged restriction of 18. Sounds pretty good to me.

If it's ever legalized in the USA, it will be under conservative/Republican auspices. As a social issue, it's a political third rail--go anywhere near it and you will be fried. Especially so for those "namby-pamby, light on crime liberals"--they would never get away with introducing legaliztion without the other side pointing fingers and making a big deal out of it. On the other hand, a conservative could come out of the woodwork pointing out all the financial benefits, and with the help of cigarette companies looking to diversify, push for legalization without as much of the negative wrangling.

Not that it will ever happen here...

Ron Paul DOES count, thanks. Republicans are falling everywhere that tow the old Bush line, he is what Republicans have to become to survive.
Let's also not forget the 1937 marijuana stamp act was passed under, "progressive" - read, socialist - FDR

Why would big business be against legalisation, when they stand to make money from it? Or d'you mean that people that work in some of those big-paycheck high-flyer jobs aren't into pot, they prefer coke and stimulants, and they're against pot legalisation because they don't see their preferred drugs getting legalised quite so easily?

I think pot was made illegal in the first place because of hippie-haters.......

It'll be illegal because of the same reasons this kind of thing is lied about:

[link]

Mark wrote:
"This doesn't change much [...]"

I'd say just the fact of tight product controls would change A LOT.
Certified growers having to meet tough checkups for use of pesticides, allowing users to get their state certified organically grown herb. Currently we have a system run by criminals. There have been cases of street dealers mixing powdered lead (!) into the weed to make it heavier. I mean I wouldnt get near any of this stuff currently sold on the street.

Not to mention a whole lot more of what would change, but probably most valuable one is that you get the peace of mind of living in a society where your cognitive liberties are finally acknowledged and written into law.

@Mark:
Don't confuse "legal" with "illegal but unenforced". It is not legal in Switzerland and smoking a doobie can still get you in trouble if the cop you encounter has had a bad day.

So thats what it is like to live in a Democratic country

A Little Pot never hurt anyone, it should be legal everywhere.
www.FIreMe.to/udi

"Republicans aren't the only ones at fault for proliferation of the Drug War in America..."

Opinions polls show most Americans favor controlled legalization, but big business doesn't want it so politicians can't talk about it. Citizens are afraid to stand up for legalization due to the hysteria surrounding the issue. In this regard, it's just like health care, dependency on oil, etc.

This doesn't change much, it's been "legal" to buy cannabis in Switzerland for years, it's just hasn't been legal to sell it for the purpose of smoking it.

Republicans aren't the only ones at fault for proliferation of the Drug War in America...Barack can't seem to pick a side either. Just pointin' that out.

After living in Switzerland for a few years, it's not so surprizing - Whenever there's a gathering of people (outdoor party, festival, skiing resort, etc.) there's the smell of cannabis. It's obviously easy to get a hold of already. PS: No, I don't do it myself.

can you imagine a grocery list like : tolet paper, eggs, cheese, bread, the skunky of the funky, fruit...

This is an exaggeration. Only one of the bigger conservative parties (FTP) has internally voted for it and will recommend to do the same to their members. Two other very influential conservative parties (SVP & CVP) are against it.
Also, I don't think you will see pot in supermarkets anytime soon even if the initiative will be accepted.

Unbelievable.

Note to self: move to Switzerland.

WOW! a government responding to ineffective policies! Imagine that! Seeing that the government should cater to the needs of the people...