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Swiss agree on 100-franc fines for pot smokers

The Local
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Swiss agree on 100-franc fines for pot smokers
Photo: Alejandro Forero Cuervo

Switzerland’s parliament ruled on Thursday to fine adult cannabis users 100 francs ($107) if caught with small quantities of the drug.

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Abandoning its previous calls for a 200-franc fine, the lower house voted by 102 to 71 in favour of the 100-franc limit touted by the upper house.

Switzerland’s largest party, the right-wing populist Swiss People’s Party, said it would not push for a referendum on the issue despite consistently arguing for higher fines for pot smokers, newspaper 20 Minuten reports.

Thursday’s vote marks the end of a protracted disagreement between the two houses of parliament.

The lower house, the National Council, proposed in March to set a fine of 200 francs for adults caught with less than 10 grams of cannabis – a higher penalty than that suggested by the government, a special committee, and the upper house, the Council of States.

Young dope smokers - and adults found with more than 10 grams of cannabis - will still face legal proceedings.

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