I is indeed shocking that Switzerland is keeping a cannabis farmer - Bernard Rappaz - in prison for five years.

Cannabis is one of the most versatile, efficacious, easy-to-grow plants on Earth - it can be used as a medicine and to make medicinal products, food, fuel, oils, building materials, plastics and more.

Nobody has ever died from inhaling or ingesting cannabis. Judge Young, a DEA administrative judge appointed to look into the harmful effects of cannabis (marijuana) stated that it is one of the safest therapeutic substances known to man (safer than potatoes!) and Prof Lester Grinspoon of Harvard University has described it as “remarkably safe” . There have been numerous other reports commissioned by various Governments that have also concluded that cannabis is safe.

Now Bernard Rappaz may die as a result of his incarceration and hunger strike - he will become a victim of Swiss INjustice and Law that clearly favours multinational companies such as pharamceuticals and petrochemicals that pollute in the name of production of synthetic and dangerous alternatives.

Bernard Rappaz must be released immediately in the name of Justice

It is disgusting that the parliament refused to pardon this man. Growing a plant, particularly one as benign and useful as cannabis, should not be a crime.

It seems these politicians are willing to let a man die in order to prove their point, but do they really think they will be able to justify such a pointless law with blood on their hands?

Switzerland used to be a bastion of moderate thinking liberal progressives. What has happened? Why are you treating this man like a criminal for growing plants for goodness sake!?! It is simply immoral and unethical for Bernard to be imprisoned for even so much as a day let alone 6 years. Shame on you Switzerland! You have transformed yourself from one of humanities greatest symbols of democratic freedom to just another tyrannical state among a myriad of similarly inclined world powers. Switzerland used to be a special place where freedom was more important than corporate / political power brokering. Now you are just as bad as the next country. Shame, Shame, Shame on you!

Instead of locking people up for cannabis which is not and could never be a crime under any definition of the word, why don’t you guys take a bold step and lead the world instead of blindly follow? Legalise, tax & regulate cannabis and free / save Bernard.

Cannabis has been a Medicinal Plant thousands of years before the current prohibitionist crowd came into existence, and it will be a Medicinal Plant long after all of them turn into dust. We are all with you spiritually, Bernard Rappaz, and we are humbled by your sacrifice. Shame on you, Switzerland, please come to your senses and release this courageous advocate for something that should have never been a crime to begin with - Cannabis Freedom!

SHEER Stupidity, nobody with working brain cells I guess!

I do not understand why the Swiss government feels so threatened by a benign and useful plant that it is willing to let a person die. If Mr Rappaz dies it will be a permanent stain on the conscience of Switzerland and indeed the world. End the suffering. End your hypocrisy.

this is absoultely disgusting that a man may possibly die due to an over reacting parliamaent which has not looked at the full facts of this drug. the comments below are correct there a numerous studies that show how the safety scale of canabis studies conclude that it is safer and just the same as smoking tobacco. i think switzerland are letting them selves down. the government should hang its head in shame as if this man dies as a result this it will only be seen as on over reacting parliamant scrutinising a grower when im pretty sure there are more harmfull drugs open on the swiss grug trade. Give your heads a wobble swizz government!!

I fully agree with and echo the comments and sentiments of the previous 3 posts from Alun Buffry, Rev. Peter Jones and Leander Clifton. What possible benefit can allowing a man to slowly die on hunger strike be to the government of Switzerland? You will turn from being viewed as a country that has served to be a progressive voice in the world. To one wherein your abuse of the dignity of human life and the human rights of Bernard Rappaz are held up by all to reflect your switch from moderate to fascist tyranny.

I DEMAND AS A EUROPEAN CITIZEN THAT YOU OFFER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO, PARDON AND RELEASE BERNARD RAPPAZ AT ONCE..!

Does anyone know if Amnesty International have been made aware of this yet?

Shame on you Switzerland…

Very sincerely.

Louis P. Burns aka Lugh - Upstate Renegade Productions. Derry - Ireland…

Clearly we cannot have the law seen to be yielding to blackmail, but what about the real issue? Prohibition of Cannabis is not good for society. Our elected officials are wasting our money on the prohibition joke again.

Free Bernard!

Humankind depresses me, these are still very dark ages.

To my knowledge cannabis cultivation was still legal in Switzerland at the time that Bernard Rappaz was doing it. Clemency should be given to this man who has suffered enough

This New World Order that is being created as we speak simply shows the path taken when psychopaths rule. Attempting to control every aspect of human behavior is doomed to fail. It is fortunate that those that pretend that the “rule of law” is just have no conscience. The syndicate of the soulless wins once again.

I also think it is a great shame that Bernard is on hunger strike even though it may have brought more attention to his case, it does confuse the issue about cannabis somewhat - save yourself Bernard and let others try to save your liberty before you are dead and the issue will be over!

It will be amazing if the country of Switzerland creates a Religious Martyr for Cannabis. It will be a furthering of our efforts to become recognized as a group who adore the spirit within the marijuana plant. As a country, Switzerland will thereby be known as the killer of the saint. May this country which was once not a slave to fear, be brave enough and smart enough to help this man regain his health and to pardon him as the only justice.

i support the release and pardon of bernard rappaz how can a anyone with any humanity sit back and watch a fellow human being slowly starve himself to death for a unjust law which is set by hyprictical people in power on pretence they protecting us from our selfs while reaping in the taxes of the 2 most health risk drugs to man kind, which costs the world billions in treating and policing free him now with a pardon.

Is there a petition possibility to put pressure on the Swiss Government?

what gives one human the right to imprisson another human for nothing, before corupt power/wealth hungry governments just making up laws like bullys. no one has controle on any one else, we as humans where put on earth as equals. this plant grew wild around the world, for those you who belkive in god and him creating everything, weed is one off the things created. other drugs such as coke and heroin has to be prosesed in some way before it can be used, cannabis is all natrual. it is a total violation off this man and an other persons right as a free living human being to be charged and imprissoned for this, the police need to concentrate on reall problems in our world, instead off targeting the easy victims. this world we live in is so corupt and twisted its bend a joke. free this man imediatly. “i know my spelling is bad and for that im sorry”

Switzerland. The eyes of the world are on you. Do the right thing and let BR free! The amount of weed grown smoked in this country is incredible and your stubbornness over this is coming across as nothing more than vindictiveness!

FREE BERNARD RAPPAZ NOW <<<<

I understood that Switzerland was supposed to be neutral country, but now I see different. Switzerland looks like another country which has been taken over by DRUG PUSHERS ! Not innocent cannabis users, but international drug/chemical/oil companies who oppose the use of natural organic cannabis/hemp which does not kill but heals, and which does not pollute but enhances and anriches nature, man and earth. Perhaps it is best not going to Switzerland if they incarserate people for growing or using natural plants. As we are all part of the EU and UN, we are all paying taxes towards keeping people in prison for growing, using or consuming a plant that has never killed anyone in the World. Cannabis gives out oxygen, takes in toxins and cures people. As we are all in this together, is this cruel inhumane torture to people trying to help others and the World fair and value for money ? Help the failing economy and environment by releasing Bernard Rappaz and all the other innocent growers and users of cannabis. Switzerland should stop funding drug/chemical/oil companies as much as possable and turn to natural products like hemp but the country can’t as it is on the toxic making band wagon like so many other countries. Switzerland pollutes with toxic chemicals and nuclear waste and are at war ! But they carry out the war on their own people and visitors for the drug companies who act like terrorists by threatening to cut off the supplies they must rely on or are addicted to. So there you go, Switzerland live behind a false status of being clean and neutral when they are polluters and part of the INTERNATIONAL DRUG WAR run by forgien conglomerates and not forgetting they pay the UN to do their dirty work if problems arrise. PLEASE RELEASE BERNARD AND ALL THE OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE SWITZERLAND OR DECLARE YOUR WAR AND DIRTY DEEDS BEFORE PEOPLE TAKE TOO MUCH NOTHCE AND RUIN YOUR ” NICE CLEAN IMAGE ” !

Please show Bernard Rappaz clemency.

‘Nothing is so praiseworthy, nothing so clearly shows a great and noble soul, as clemency and readiness to forgive. ‘ Cicero

’All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness.’ Dalai Lama

’Compassion is the basis of morality.’ Schopenhauer

To treat Bernard Rappaz in this way is uncivilized.

Free Bernard Raappaz! This is yet another example of unwarrented reprehensible treatment of a human being. Cannabis is a plant. Cannabis is an incredibly valuable plant with unique properties supported by extensive and ongoing scientific research and knowledge. Cannabis contains cannabinoids which work with our endocannabinoid systems designed to regulate our central nervous systems. Prohibition has proven itself to be an abject failure, the consequences thereof have been absolutely devastating to our mother earth and all her children. Switzerland and any other nation which abuses an individuals liberty on the basis of Prohibition is exacting an evil toll on us all as a whole. Switzerland, Free Bernard Rappaz! Give this man clemency. Free Bernard Rappaz!

Obviously, this is a response to continued and unwarranted pressure from the USA and the EU to continue the failed policies of cannabis/hemp prohibition, even though the world is finally starting to learn the truth about the tremendous and wide-ranging benefits of of the cannabis family of plants.

We COULD use it for bioremediation of many toxic sites around the world…but the toxins are legal, and the plants that could clean them up are not. What does this tell you?

Cancer patients are allowed to use cannabis to mitigate the pain and nausea from their chemotherapy “treatments”, but they are not allowed to use the concentrated extracts from the cannabis plant to actually cure their cancer. What does this tell you?

Police and politicians prefer to lock up non-violent people while releasing murderers, thieves, rapists, child molesters to make room for those who were “caught in possession of natural, non-toxic plant materials”, because it’s easier to warehouse non-violent human beings for profit than it is to chase down the real criminals. What does this tell you?

If you ask me, it’s time to Overgrow The World! (Google it!)

i dont think that rappaz should be prisoned cos marijuana cant actually kill u and he is a great man so if youre the govenment and the president of switzerland just fucking release him or someone will!

Switzerland, you have always been such a free thinking country. I for one admired you for that. Are you really so threatened by a farmer and your citizens smoking cannabis?? Has anyone ever considered asking how many of your citizens smoke cannabis and go about their normal day keeping the wheels of the country turning??

It’s about time a government took the right step towards sensible drug policy so people like Bernard Rappaz and Marc Emery to name 2, can go about their day helping those who want to be sensible cannabis users in the same way any other citizen can be a sensible alcohol user for example. Why must Bernard Rappaz have to near death for somene to get a grip. 14 people stood up for him. Shame on the rest, what are you afraid of.

I hope this does not end like this. Switxerland, you must act.

Switzerland. How far from the idyll of pretty milkmaids in breathtaking mountain scenery, cows with bells, cheese with holes, and cuckoo clocks, presented to the outside world for the past half century or so.

Now your mask has slipped big-time, and the world can see your face.

Mesdames Messieurs,nous sommes en face d’un problème énorme le Valais a décidé que Monsieur Rappaz doit mourir et de montrer que le Valais a gagné face à Monsieur Rappaz,car c’est bien d’une VENGEANCE dont il sagit.Les images le prouvent:ou l’on vois le soulagement et même des sourires de joie et de satisfaction d’avoir mis un homme qui est déja à terre SOUS TERRE .Nous demandons,en urgence aux droits des humains de sortir Monsieur Bernard Rappaz des GRIFFES du canton du Valais, afin de lui sauver la vie car on le sait qu’il n’a jamais voulut mourir et que ça fille de 12 ans a encore besoin de sont PAPA.Dans cette affaire ,vus les 10 années environ de guerre entre le Valais et Rappaz.Le Valais n’est plus à même de décider d’une grace, le résultat en est la preuve formel env. 90 %.Nous demandons à la Confédération Suisse de SAUVER la vie de Monsieurs Rappaz ou aux DROITS HUMAINS.J’ai honte d’être SUISSE merci de faire ce que chaque hêtre humain doit faire sauver son prochain si il le peus. La Suisse sortirait de ce mauvais chemin pris par le Valais en refusant la grâce, bien plus GRANDE en lui sauvant la vie. Merci mille fois mercis

Plants are a gift of the Tao. No man-made law can take away that gift. It is unlike the Swiss to destroy a life over cultural prejudice and ignorant religious beliefs. I hope that as awareness of this horrendous situation increases, the Swiss people will find compassion in their hearts.

Wasn’t this where it all began? The Geneva conventions in the 20’s on opiates? Looks like Du Pont, Hearst and Anslinger perpetrated one of the greatest rorts on mankind ever - and they’re still winning. SHAME!

if this man dies it will be murder, we will rise against you Switzerland, civil unrest, strikes, boycotts….oh you wont like the result i promise you…

you already stole this mans farm will you steal his life too…the consequinces of this will be 100 fold

this is shameful treatment of a man who is trying to make the world a better and fairer place , but as usual , societys reaction is to condemn and persecute …when will we learn

I agree with the Supreme court because listen to both sides, is you shorten his prison sentence, other criminals with do the same thing in the future, they have no choice but to reject him. It is his choice to go on the hunger strike. However, I think they should have made his prison sentance shorter from the beginning before it went public.

Bureaucratic stupidity at its very best, and dangerous level. This is truly an abomination to the reasons why organised governments exist.

Instead of keeping the people safe from the harm of others, they try and stop us from harming ourselves, and in doing so they throw away all human rights.

Why should this man be locked up and jailed because of growing a natural plant, that happens to be one of the most useful natural thing available at man’s disposal. It has been recorded in history as one of THE oldest crops ever grown, and hemp seeds have been found around Ancient Chinese habitats which date earlier than 2500 B.C.

Cannabis is the STRONGEST NATURAL FIBRE. Period. It is an excellent source of food, medicine and fuel. In USA, The Declaration of Independence is written on hemp paper, the worlds first mass produced cat, the Ford Model T is also made from this miraculous plant, and even Queen Victoria; the crown to the biggest empire this world has ever seen, was known to smoke Indian Hemp to relieve her period pains.

Anyone with half an ounce of common sense and decency would free this man, but alas there are spineless men throughout life, and the justice and police departments are no exception, in fact more often than not, government institutions are an absolute breeding ground for totalitarianism. They are a vulgar manifestation of the short comings of democracy, the same democracy we send our troops to die for, and ram down the throat of faraway and undeveloped lands, but the truth is we are no different from those we condemn.

“Make the most of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere!”

George Washington in a note to his gardener at Mount Vernon (1794), The Writings of George Washington, Volume 33, page 270 (Library of Congress)

I hope the Swiss judiciary system can save this innocent man before his knowledge and wisdom is lost to us forever.

Please sign this petition to free Bernard Rappaz:

http://lapetition.be/en-ligne/petition-7410.html

Bernard Rappaz is a political prisoner of the Swiss government’s upholding of the profits of the Swiss pharm industry. For more than 20 years, Bernard contracted hemp quite legally, until Swiss gov made hemp illegal and decided to prosecute Bernard under retrospectively applied laws.

Bernard Rappaz should be given amnesty immediately. It is a complete scandal how he has been demonised.

Read more on the background to Bernard’s demonisation here: http://networkedblogs.com/7iMHL

Its is sad that a conspiray between politicians in Valais and the pharmaceutical industry, behind this attempt to get rid of Bernhard Rappatz, can turn Switzerlands human rights policy upside down.

It is not enough that Switzerland harbours the dirty money of international despots, fraudsters and genocidal maniacs, not to speak of tax evaders world wide hiding their money in Swiss accounts from tax authorities and public scrutiny, its has a canny genetic disposition to isolate itself from the rest of the world when ti comes to interpreting human rights.

Switzerland is poartial to the European Human rights act and should act accordingly. Release Bernahrd and ensure that Swiss cannabis research and growers lead this new indutrsial zero carbon solution to many our problems in todays world. It is not up to pharmaceutical companies to dictate to Health services wrold wide whats good for them and the release of cannabis for therapeutical uses in hospitals wotld wide must threaten them considerably that they support the kiling by the state of an innocent man who has done nothing wrong.

NO VICTIM NO CRIME says it all i could go on and on but NO VICTIM NO CRIME says it all!!!!

And here’s me thinking Switzerland was a civilised country. Cannabis has never killed anyone yet this drug is vilified by our politicians.

It seems that cannabis is the one thing that can both save people and save the earth. There is no good reason to incarcerate someone for growing a plant so beneficial. Any person sent to prison for cultivating or possessing cannabis is the victim of a crime, shouldn’t the governments that enforce these rediculous be tried and sent for crimes against man kind because they are certainly commiting them! Anybody throughout the world imprisoned over cannabis should be released!!! When will the governments around the world learn, they can’t stop cannabis and why would they want to. Maybe if the governments stopped all this nonsence people would start trusting in them again. Give people what they want and stop trying to poison us. Free Bernard Rappaz and free Cannabis. How can any educated person ever consider cannabis bad??? STOP POISONING US

free him, and give this earth back to one of its oldest plants.

Please sign this petition to free Bernard Rappaz:

http://lapetition.be/en-ligne/petition-7410.html

Cannabis is a plant, given by god/nature for everyone’s health. Bernard hurt no one, he grew a plant,(which was legal at the time) please get this into perspective and stop treating him like a criminal!