Swiss cannabis legislation — timeline 1975–2026

Every relevant milestone of the Swiss Narcotics Act and the current regulation debate.

Key facts

  • First Narcotics Act: 1951 / 1975
  • Fixed-fine introduced: 2013
  • FOPH pilot trials: 2021 / 2023
  • SGK draft: 2024

Key takeaways

  • Between 2021 and 2026 there are eight federally relevant events — more than the preceding three decades combined.
  • The two structural turning points are Art. 8a BetmG (2021, pilot trials) and free prescribability of medical cannabis (2022).
  • The 2024 SGK-N draft for a regulated market is the first serious legislative text since the 2008 hemp initiative was rejected.

Interpretation

Swiss cannabis regulation advances not in one sweep but in increments: decriminalising possession through the fixed fine (2013), opening medical access (2022), then controlled pilot markets (from 2023). Each step produced the data legitimising the next. That explains the acceleration since 2021 — and makes the consultation expected in 2026 likely the final step before a parliamentary decision in principle.

Limitations

  • Federal events only; cantonal practice changes are not included.
  • The count of 'events' per period is an editorial selection of relevant milestones.
  • The 2026 entry (consultation) is an expectation, not a fixed date.

Data

YearEvent
1951Erstes Betäubungsmittelgesetz
1975Cannabis explizit als Betäubungsmittel
2008Volksinitiative Hanf abgelehnt
20111 % THC-Grenze für CBD-Hanf
2013Ordnungsbussen-Regelung (CHF 100)
2021Art. 8a BetmG — Pilotversuche erlaubt
2022Medizinisches Cannabis frei verschreibbar
2023Erste Pilotprojekte starten (Basel, Zürich)
2024SGK-N: Vorentwurf für regulierten Markt
2026Vernehmlassung Regulierungsgesetz erwartet

Methodology

Chronology from Fedlex and Curia Vista. Federal-level changes only.

Sources

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