GENEVA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland is considering approving the sale of cannabis for medical purposes and also legalizing pilot tests to establish how a general legalization would impact consumers, often people with incurable diseases or terminal cancer, of medical cannabis, according to a press release on Wednesday from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
The Swiss Federal Council recommended the approval of the sale of cannabis for medical purposes, and also wanted to allow pilot studies to go ahead to examine the drug's effects when used recreationally, according to the release.
The home affairs ministry has now been tasked with proposing a change to the law by summer 2019.
In 2017, around 3,000 patients were treated with medical cannabis in Switzerland, often people with incurable diseases or terminal cancer. But currently permission is only granted on a case by case basis, and hinders access, delaying treatment.
Although cannabis for recreational purposes is illegal, the government said the number of users had remained stable and the black market was flourishing. That's why the authorities in several Swiss cities and cantons have expressed interest in the studies.
However, such investigations have been banned. In May 2017, researchers from the University of Bern filed a request with the health office for an authorization to carry out a scientific study on the effects of the regulated sale of cannabis for recreational purposes via pharmacies. It also planned to study the illegal cannabis market in Bern.
The FOPH said the request could not be accepted as "current drugs legislation does not allow the use of cannabis for non-medical reasons."
Growing, consuming and dealing cannabis are all forbidden in Switzerland. Exceptions are possible for scientific research or limited medical use.
