Tag: Switzerland

Multiple jurisdictions in Switzerland are now home to research-based regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, in which a limited number of cannabis producers, retailers, and customers participate in limited regulated cannabis commerce.

Current European Union agreements prohibit national adult-use cannabis product sales within member nations, but EU agreements do permit cannabis research to be conducted, and pilot trials fall within that scope.

Despite the ongoing success of cannabis pilot trials in other jurisdictions in Switzerland, authorities in the canton of Valais have continued to block a pilot trial from launching there. Valais is estimated to have a population of roughly 350,000 people.

According to IG Hanf (Association of Hemp), there is no merit to the continued claims by authorities in Valais that there isn’t enough interest in the area for launching a pilot trial, and that the continued blocking of a pilot trial is “an obstacle to science.”

“Although 64% of Valais residents support a pilot project on THC-containing cannabis, the cantonal authorities continue to refuse to engage in dialogue. A research project compatible with federal law has been blocked for over three years.” the association stated on its website in a recent news release (translated from German to English).

The organization lists three benefits of launching a regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trial in Valais:

• The project would have enabled a better understanding of the actual use, risks and impacts on public health in the Canton of Valais.
• It would have created jobs in a legal, local and innovative sector.
• It would have brought Valais and its interests back into the national debate on a drug policy based on facts and not on prejudice.

“The message from citizens is clear: they want responsible regulation, not ostrich-like policies. By even refusing to open a dialogue, the cantonal authorities are not only preventing controlled research but are also sending a contradictory message: they prefer repression to regulation, ideology to science. This is a political decision with serious consequences for prevention, transparency, and trust in institutions.” the organization stated.

“It’s clear that only cannabis regulation can curb dangerous excesses and effectively protect the health of consumers, especially young people,” says Benjamin Foro, board member and media spokesperson for IG Hanf. “It’s high time to end the outdated prohibition policy and find a pragmatic solution.”

The continued prevention of a pilot trial in Valais comes at a time when the pilot trial in Zurich is set to expand from 2,100 participants to 3,000. The regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot project “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” was launched in 2023.

“Over 90 percent of participants now obtain their cannabis products from legal sources, i.e. from one of the three specialist stores or one of the nine pharmacies taking part.” Blue News previously reported about Zurich’s pilot trial.

Another jurisdiction in Switzerland participating in regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials is Basel, where researchers are finding benefits to allowing adult-use commerce. The results of a previous study, which was the first academic reporting of its kind, were published on the University of Basel’s website in addition to being published in the academic journal Addiction.

“Public health-oriented recreational cannabis access may decrease cannabis use and cannabis-related harms, especially among those using other drugs.” the researchers of that study concluded.

“Furthermore, the study was able to dispel fears that legalization could exacerbate the psychopathological symptoms associated with cannabis consumption in addition to consumption itself: after the first six months, there was no difference between the two study groups in terms of depression, anxiety or other symptoms.” stated the University of Basel on its website.

“The interim assessment after two years of study shows a significant improvement in the mental state of the approximately 300 or so participants who are still taking part.” the University also wrote.

Earlier this year, Marijuana Moment reported that a government-commissioned report found that  Switzerland’s adult-use cannabis legalization pilot program is “running smoothly,” with “no indication of any disturbances to public order.”

“About two years after the pilot program launched in seven municipalities across the country, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) study—carried out by the University of Lausanne and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland—generally determined that the initiative has been a success.” the outlet also reported.

The regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot project “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” was launched in 2023. The pilot trial, operated by the City of Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and the University of Zurich, is described as “investigating the effects of purchasing selected cannabis products from controlled cultivation under regulated conditions on participants’ consumption and health.”

Slated to operate until autumn 2026, the trial has involved 2,100 study participants so far. However, the Züri Can pilot trial is reportedly expected to expand and include nearly a thousand more study participants.

“The city of Zurich continues to lead the way in Europe in piloting a model for the legal and controlled distribution of cannabis in Switzerland. After an initial phase launched in 2023, the pilot project ” Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility ” is preparing for significant expansion: applications are open this month for an additional 900 participants, joining the approximately 2,100 already involved.” reported DolceVita in its original coverage.

“Participants can purchase recreational cannabis from over 20 licensed retailers, including pharmacies, specialized dispensaries, and accredited social clubs, choosing from a range of products vetted for quality and provenance.” the outlet also reported.

The planned expansion of the pilot trial in Zurich was originally approved by the Federal Office of Public Health on November 20, 2024. Pilot trial participation requirements include subjects being of legal age (18 years old or older), being an ‘active user’, participants must be a resident of Zurich, and they cannot work as a ‘professional driver’, such as a bus or taxi driver.

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are a public policy model that is unique to Europe. Whereas national adult-use cannabis sales are prohibited by current European Union agreements, pilot trials are research-based and are permitted by the EU.

Multiple jurisdictions in Switzerland now have operating pilot trials, and trials are also operating in several jurisdictions in the Netherlands. Pilot trials were also approved as part of Germany’s multi-phased CanG law in 2024, although no German jurisdictions have received official approval to proceed yet.

Back in February of this year, Switzerland’s Social Security and Health Committee of the National Council gave preliminary approval to an adult-use cannabis legalization plan by a 14-9 vote. The successful committee vote started Switzerland on a path to modernize its national recreational cannabis laws, potentially.

“Public health and youth protection must be placed at the heart of a renewed cannabis policy. Adults must be granted strictly regulated access to cannabis. In addition, to ensure that consumption is not encouraged, cannabis products must not be sold for profit and must be subject to an incentive tax. This is what is provided for in the draft drawn up by the National Council’s Social Security and Public Health Committee (CSSS-N).” the committee stated in a translated press release at the time.

The Swiss government is reportedly continuing to move forward with the proposal, recently announcing that it is set to open up a public consultation period to allow people and entities to weigh in on the proposal.

“The legalization of cannabis in Switzerland has reached a new milestone. Last Friday, the Health Committee of the Swiss National Council (SGK-N) approved a bill that provides for strictly regulated access to cannabis for adults. This lays the foundation for a possible legalization of cannabis, with a focus on public health and youth prevention.” reported Cannabis Industrie in its original coverage (translated to English).

“The legalization of cannabis plays a central role in this bill, which will be submitted for consultation at the end of August. Civil society organizations, government bodies, and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to voice their opinions until November.” the outlet also wrote.

Below are the key points of the proposal being considered in Switzerland:

• Cannabis will remain classified as a narcotic.
• Adult residents can cultivate up to three plants in their private residences.
• Eventual sales will be subject to a state monopoly. Sales must not be for profit. Any profits are allocated to prevention, harm reduction and addiction support.
• Vertical integration is prohibited.
• Advertising is prohibited, including for cannabis seeds and cuttings and accessories related to the consumption of cannabis.
• Cannabis products will be subject to an incentive tax “in order to limit consumption and direct it towards less risky forms.” The tax rate will be tied to “THC content and the type of consumption.” Cantons may levy “a monitoring tax and fees.”
• Penalties will be increased for “people who evade the legal market.”
• A “zero tolerance” approach to driving under the influence will be instituted, with anyone proven to “have consumed cannabis” being “considered unfit to drive.”

The legalization proposal being considered involves permitting adults to possess a personal amount of cannabis. However, a specific possession limit has not been identified yet. According to the previously cited committee press release, “Maximum quantities for private and public possession apply,” but quantities were ultimately not specified.

Currently, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and the Czech Republic have all approved national adult-use cannabis legalization measures in Europe, with Czechia’s legalization law set to take effect on January 1st, 2026. Additionally, Uruguay, Canada, and South Africa have also adopted national recreational cannabis legalization measures.

Roughly two years ago, Switzerland launched what was then a unique approach to science-based cannabis commerce research. The European nation launched the first of what has eventually become a series of regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, which involve permitting local production and sales of recreational cannabis products. Pilot trials now also operate in the Netherlands and are part of Germany’s legalization model, although pilot trials have yet to launch in Germany due to various reasons.

Whereas current European Union agreements prohibit national adult-use cannabis sales like those found in Canada, the agreements do permit member nations to conduct research that is focused on improving public health outcomes, which is the goal of pilot research trials. Pilot trials are aimed at gathering data and insight at a local level to help lawmakers and regulators be better suited when crafting national policies.

An interdisciplinary research team affiliated with the Addiction Department of the Department of Health of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, the University of Basel, the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), and Psychiatric Services Aargau recently published findings from a study that relied on data from the Weed Care pilot trial project in Switzerland.

The study’s findings, which are the first academic reporting of its kind, were published on the University of Basel’s website in addition to being published in the academic journal Addiction.

“We measured the effects of public health-oriented cannabis access compared with the illegal market on cannabis use and related mental health outcomes in adult cannabis users.” the researchers stated about their study. “This was a two-arm, parallel group, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Follow-up outcome measurement took place after 6 months.”

“The primary outcome was self-reported severity of cannabis misuse after 6 months, as measured by the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test – Revised (range 0–32). Secondary outcomes involved depressive, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms, cannabis consumption amount, alcohol, and drug use.” the researchers wrote regarding their investigation’s measurements.

“Public health-oriented recreational cannabis access may decrease cannabis use and cannabis-related harms, especially among those using other drugs.” the researchers concluded.

A common talking point among cannabis opponents is that legal access to adult-use cannabis products will increase problematic cannabis use in society. This study’s findings contradict that claim. Another common talking point among opponents is the claim that legal cannabis use will lead to a decline in mental health among consumers. This Switzerland study also provided findings that addressed that claim.

“Furthermore, the study was able to dispel fears that legalization could exacerbate the psychopathological symptoms associated with cannabis consumption in addition to consumption itself: after the first six months, there was no difference between the two study groups in terms of depression, anxiety or other symptoms.” stated the University of Basel on its website.

“The interim assessment after two years of study shows a significant improvement in the mental state of the approximately 300 or so participants who are still taking part.” the University also wrote.

“There has never been a controlled, randomized study like this before,” emphasizes Dr. Lavinia Baltes-Flückiger, deputy head of the study at the Psychiatric Services Aargau and lead author of the study, according to the University of Basel’s reporting.

Earlier this year, Marijuana Moment reported that a government-commissioned report found that  Switzerland’s adult-use cannabis legalization pilot program is “running smoothly,” with “no indication of any disturbances to public order.”

“About two years after the pilot program launched in seven municipalities across the country, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) study—carried out by the University of Lausanne and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland—generally determined that the initiative has been a success.” the outlet also reported.

Previously published government data from the United States found that in jurisdictions where adult-use cannabis legalization was adopted, consumption rates among minors had reduced post-legalization compared to pre-legalization. The results of a Canadian study that was published last month found that while reported overall cannabis use in Canadian society increased post-legalization, “misuse decreased.”

Currently, national adult-use cannabis legalization measures have been adopted by three European Union member nations. Malta was the first to do so, adopting recreational legalization in 2021, followed by Luxembourg in 2023.

Germany has adopted the most robust form of adult-use legalization in the EU so far. Whereas Malta and Luxembourg have both adopted cultivation and possession by adults, and Malta cultivation associations, Germany has legalized cultivation, associations, and will also eventually launch commerce pilot trials. Germany also has the largest legal medical cannabis industry in Europe.

If current trends persist, Switzerland may become the fourth EU country to adopt a national legalization measure. On Friday, Switzerland’s Social Security and Health Committee of the National Council gave preliminary approval to a recreational legalization plan by a 14-9 vote.

“Public health and youth protection must be placed at the heart of a renewed cannabis policy. Adults must be granted strictly regulated access to cannabis. In addition, to ensure that consumption is not encouraged, cannabis products must not be sold for profit and must be subject to an incentive tax. This is what is provided for in the draft drawn up by the National Council’s Social Security and Public Health Committee (CSSS-N).” the committee stated in a translated press release.

“The committee is unanimous in its view that cannabis consumption is a social reality. The majority of the committee considers that the current situation is unsatisfactory and that the prohibitive approach is wrong. In its view, strictly regulated access to cannabis and a controlled market better protect public health, strengthen youth protection and improve safety.” the press release also stated.

Below are the key points of the proposal being considered in Switzerland:

• Cannabis will remain classified as a narcotic.
• Adult residents can cultivate up to three plants in their private residences.
• Eventual sales will be subject to a state monopoly. Sales must not be for profit. Any profits are allocated to prevention, harm reduction and addiction support.
• Vertical integration is prohibited.
• Advertising is prohibited, including for cannabis seeds and cuttings and accessories related to the consumption of cannabis.
• Cannabis products will be subject to an incentive tax “in order to limit consumption and direct it towards less risky forms.” The tax rate will be tied to “THC content and the type of consumption.” Cantons may levy “a monitoring tax and fees.”
• Penalties will be increased for “people who evade the legal market.”
• A “zero tolerance” approach to driving under the influence will be instituted, with anyone proven to “have consumed cannabis” being “considered unfit to drive.”

“The next step will be to draw up an explanatory report on the preliminary draft, so that the committee can examine these documents during the summer. Interested parties and stakeholders will then have the opportunity to take a position as part of the consultation procedure.” the committee stated about the next steps for the Swiss legalization approval process.

The legalization proposal being considered involves permitting adults to possess a personal amount of cannabis, however, a specific possession limit does not appear to be identified yet. According to the committee press release, “Maximum quantities for private and public possession apply” but quantities were ultimately not specified.

By comparison, what was preliminarily approved in Switzerland is better than what is in place in Luxembourg in some ways and less favorable in other ways. In Luxembourg adults can cultivate up to four plants in private residences, which is better than the three plant proposal in Switzerland, but there is no recreational commerce allowed in any manner in Luxembourg. The possession limit in Luxembourg is 3 grams.

In Malta, adults can also cultivate up to four plants in their private residences, but the possession limit is considerably greater compared to Luxembourg’s possession limit. Adults in Malta can possess up to 7 grams when away from their homes and up to 50 grams within their homes. The previously mentioned cultivation associations operating in Malta are not subjected to as many limitations as what is being proposed for retail outlets in Switzerland, and are not subject to a state monopoly.

If/when Switzerland’s proposal is approved, it will not eclipse Germany’s legalization model. Germany’s legalization model involves a three plant home cultivation limit, which is the same as the Swiss plan. German adults can possess up to 25 grams when away from their residences and 50 grams in their residences. Germany is already home to dozens of approved cultivation associations, and hundreds more have applications pending. Eventually, thousands of associations are expected to be approved across Germany, and they will not be subject to a state monopoly, nor the level of restrictions being proposed in Switzerland.

Switzerland has multiple regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials operating right now, and it is unclear how current and future trials will be handled if/when the Swiss legalization plan is enacted. Germany’s legalization model involves permitting trials, and it is expected that they will eventually be located throughout most parts of Germany. Over two dozen municipalities in Germany have already expressed interest in launching pilot trials.

Arguably the most significant difference between what is being proposed in Switzerland versus what is already approved in Germany is how cannabis is classified. The Switzerland plan involves keeping cannabis classified as a narcotic, which is a nuanced policy that has a dramatic impact on what can and cannot happen when it comes to cannabis. Conversely, Germany removed cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List as part of the CanG law’s approval, which has dramatically improved the nation’s medical cannabis program and removed many barriers to cannabis research.