Switzerland has always played a pioneering role in drug policy. In 1986, it was the first to open shelters for addicts and in 1994 it medically prescribed heroin. Today, its cities are looking at introducing cannabis social clubs – a controversial issue.

Former interior minister Ruth Dreifuss, nicknamed “dealer of the nation” for introducing ground-breaking drug policies, is one of the figureheads of the country’s legalisation campaign. One of her suggestions is to set up cannabis clubs, a concept her native Geneva is spearheading in Switzerland. Larger cities like Geneva, Bern, Basel and Zurich have created an expert working group to map out the details for a potential pilot project.

Bern City Council adopted the creation of a working group to prepare a draft regulating consumption of cannabis in the federal city.

In Bern, it may soon be possible to smoke pot legally in places baptized "cannabis clubs". From Spain, this concept attracted many cities in Switzerland. In the image of the capital, Zurich, Basel, Geneva or Winterthur (ZH) want to test it. Thursday, Bern has taken a step in this direction, with the announcement of the creation of a working group to develop a pilot project.