The visit on September 10th
On September 10th, the day finally arrived: With an official invitation, our Vice President Simón and I were able to spend an entire morning in the Federal Parliament Building – the place where members of the National Council and the Council of States meet, exchange ideas, and connect with lobbyists. It was a very special experience for us.
An open ear – and genuine appreciation
Anna and her assistant dedicated a full hour to us. Her willingness to listen, despite it being the autumn session, and the respect shown to us were deeply touching. For our Association work, it was not only politically significant but also very moving to witness the processes in the Federal Parliament and to feel that our concerns were being taken seriously.
Medical care since August 1, 2022
We discussed medical care since the legal amendment of August 1, 2022, which allows medical professionals to prescribe cannabis like an opiate. For patients, this is a historic step forward – we can finally receive legal treatment. We used the meeting to thank the politicians for the change in the law. At the same time, we pointed out existing problems: there are still only a few medical professionals who prescribe cannabis, and reimbursement by health insurance companies remains a major obstacle. Many patients can barely afford their prescribed medication.
Regarding the planned legalization in Switzerland
The planned legalization of cannabis was also discussed. Our Association considers it particularly important that medical use remains clearly separate from Recreational Consumption , so that the secure status of patients is not jeopardized. We have already written a detailed article on this topic, explaining why MEDCAN demands a clear separation between medical use and Recreational Consumption .
Concern regarding Germany
In our discussion about legalization, we raised our concerns about what is currently happening in Germany: there, legalization has, in some cases, undermined the position of patients. Many Recreational Consumption users are now obtaining prescriptions from doctors; this damages the credibility of people who are genuinely ill. We support legalization – but not at the expense of patients. We want to prevent this development from being repeated in Switzerland; therefore, we advocate for a clear separation and precise regulations for medical care.
Concrete next steps in parliament
Anna outlined the next steps: Her team will submit a parliamentary inquiry to the Federal Council to obtain official figures for the first time – for example, how frequently cannabis is prescribed and how often health insurance companies cover the costs. If the answer is insufficient, the next steps could be an interpellation or a postulate to examine the economic potential of medical applications and increase pressure for cost coverage. For such a postulate, patient testimonials are particularly important – and MEDCAN will, of course, help provide this information.
Further talks in the Federal Parliament
Besides Anna Rosenwasser, we also had the opportunity to meet Barbara Gysi, a driving force behind legalization. Her commitment to fair and safe regulation impressed us greatly. Islam Alijaj, a member of the National Council and a long-time disability rights activist, also took the time for a brief conversation despite the hectic parliamentary schedule.
We tried to speak with other politicians as well, but we were already feeling quite awestruck – it was a truly special experience. These hallowed halls of the Federal Parliament Building, the prominent political figures, and their work deeply impressed us, and we hope that we will have the opportunity to visit again in the future to exert our political influence.
Why this matters
This morning has shown us that patients' concerns are being heard. Cannabis is not a miracle cure, but an effective herbal medicine with moderate side effects. It improves the quality of life for many people and can even reduce costs in the healthcare system in the long term. We are convinced of this. And Anna also sees an opportunity to convince even critical voices in parliament, through demonstrable cost savings, that the medical use of cannabis should be covered by health insurance.
Stay tuned – before the debate on legalization gains momentum
To ensure the situation for patients continues to improve, it is crucial that we stay focused on this issue before the legalization debate gains momentum. A functioning medical cannabis market is slowly but surely emerging, offering a variety of cannabis flowers and extracts – including products from Switzerland. We are very pleased about this, and this development should definitely continue.
Take action now – your support counts!
MEDCAN has made a name for itself in recent years – as a voice for patients, a political force, and a point of contact for those affected. But our work thrives on commitment and solidarity. Become a member or support us with a donation – so that we can continue to dedicate ourselves fully to ensuring safe access to medical cannabis. Together, we can ensure that patients are not forgotten and that the medical use of cannabis in Switzerland is further strengthened.
