The most important points of the draft:
- Possession: 5 grams of THC in public and 75 grams of THC at home are permitted.
- Home cultivation: up to 3 plants per adult.
- Commercial cultivation: Federal approval, small licenses up to 200 m² possible.
- Sales: exclusively through licensed, non-profit shops.
- THC limits: 20% for flowers, 60% for extracts; additives such as sugar, flavorings, nicotine, or alcohol are prohibited.
- Packaging: neutral, child-resistant, with warnings.
- Tax: Incentive tax depending on the THC content.
The consultation runs until December 1, 2025 , and the parliamentary debate is scheduled for spring/summer 2026. MEDCAN has been officially invited to participate in the consultation and provide patient input.
Why we support legalization
For MEDCAN, it's clear: legalization is an important step for Switzerland. We expressly welcome the Federal Council's initiative because:
- Youth protection and health are paramount. A regulated market protects young people better than an uncontrolled black market.
- Clear rules for cultivation, sale and consumption must be created.
- Decriminalization finally becomes a reality: adults who consume drugs will no longer be prosecuted.
- The black market and unsafe products are being pushed back – which also benefits consumers and society.
It's important to us that Recreational Consumption is regulated . This is the only way to reduce abuse and risks. A legal market is the best protection – both for young people and for society as a whole.
Two different laws for the future
With legalization, there will two legal bases :
- A law for the medical use of cannabis that remains unchanged.
- A new law for Recreational Consumption that clearly regulates access for adults.
MEDCAN emphasizes the need for a clear distinction between medical use and Recreational Consumption . Patients with serious diagnoses who use cannabis to cope with their daily lives should not be equated with people who consume cannabis for lifestyle or wellness reasons. A doctor's prescription is a clear indication that there is a medical reason—and in this case, it is a medicinal product, not a recreational drug.
Important law for patients
Medical professionals have been able to prescribe cannabis since 2022. For many patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer, or chronic pain, cannabis is an indispensable treatment option. However:
- Health insurance companies often refuse to cover the costs, leaving patients to bear the burden alone—an untenable situation.
- Home cultivation as a last resort: We don't want patients to have to grow their own medicines. However, as long as health insurance companies don't cover the costs, this option must not remain prohibited – otherwise, we risk a two-tier healthcare system.
- Legal uncertainty: Many affected individuals are unsure whether legalization will improve or worsen their situation. Guarantees are needed here.
Our demands
- Clear separation of medicine and Recreational Consumption
Medical cannabis must be treated as a medicinal product – with the same standards as other medicines.
- Reimbursement of costs by health insurance companies
Patients who use cannabis for medical purposes must no longer be financially discriminated against.
- Protection against two-tier healthcare:
Access to medical cannabis must not depend on income.
- Home cultivation as a means of self-help
Until health insurance companies assume their responsibility, home cultivation must be possible.
Legalization is a historic opportunity for Switzerland . It creates order, security, and protects young people—and it offers the opportunity to correct decades of negative developments. For MEDCAN, it is crucial that patients are not forgotten. We will actively participate in the consultation process and make our voices heard clearly—so that cannabis is regulated fairly, safely, and humanely in Switzerland.
Support our work: Become a member of MEDCAN. Together we will ensure that patients retain a strong voice.
