Pubdate: Tue,  3 Oct 2000
Source: Reuters
Copyright: 2000 Reuters Limited.

SWISS CABINET AIMS TO LEGALISE POT SMOKING

BERNE, Oct 2 (Reuters) - The Swiss cabinet proposed on Monday making it 
legal to smoke pot, but said other illicit drugs should remain outlawed for 
the time being.

The government decided in principle to decriminalise the consumption of 
cannabis products. It left open whether it would also eventually give a 
green light to growing and selling marijuana and hashish.

It will now submit to parliament the proposed drug law revisions. The 
government said in a statement that a period of public comment on the 
amendments showed ``basically broad support.''

Swiss voters in 1998 rejected a proposal to legalise all drug consumption, 
but the aroma of burning cannabis often wafts through the Alpine country's 
parks and lakeside promenades.

Switzerland already has one of the most liberal approaches in Europe toward 
treating heroin addicts, providing free drugs and needles to some of those 
who do not respond to other forms of treatment designed to wean them from 
their habit.

A so-called ``four pillars'' approach to drugs aims at prevention, therapy, 
damage limitation and arresting users and those involved in the trade.

Switzerland once had the dubious honour of hosting Europe's largest open 
heroin scene, concentrated in Zurich's ``needle park,'' but city officials 
drove it underground in the mid-1990s after the park became a mecca for 
Europe's drug addicts.
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