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View all Cannabis and cannabinoids in Switzerland
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Daily news alerts
Daily regulatory updates of legal changes in the cannabis sector, including monthly compilations
2nd November 2023
Switzerland: The Federal Council has issued a report, at the request of the National Council, to examine “how the various forms of the hemp plant (cannabis) could be made more economically usable and how a contemporary and comprehensive cannabis regulation could be enacted”. In summary, the Federal Council does not consider a comprehensive regulation of cannabis and hemp to be appropriate, since a specific law would encompass areas that are already regulated by other laws, such as cannabis for medical purposes. On the other hand, recreational cannabis should be regulated in a new special law, taking into account the experiences of the pilot tests currently being conducted.25th October 2023
- Switzerland: The German Sanity Group and the Swiss Institute for Addiction and Health Research (ISGF) have received final approval from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) to carry out a pilot project for the controlled distribution of recreational cannabis in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, more specifically in the towns of Allschwil and Liestal. Allegedly, this is the first time that the FOPH has granted permission to a foreign company with commercial interests to operate the cannabis dispensaries for the pilot projects. Other pilot projects, such as those in Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva, have already been approved by the FOPH.
23rd August 2023
- Switzerland: The city of Zurich has launched its first supply of cannabis products as part of its pilot project for the sale of recreational cannabis, which was approved by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in March 2023. Selling prices vary between CHF7.20 (€7.55) and CHF9.60 (€10) depending on the THC and CBD content. The product range includes three flower and two hashish varieties.
25th July 2023
Switzerland: The Federal Supreme Court has ruled that a small amount of cannabis for personal consumption, up to 10 g, cannot be seized for destruction. The court said that, since possession of up to 10 g is not punishable by law, there is no legal basis for confiscation.
10th May 2023
Switzerland: The Federal Office of Public Health has given its approval to the cities of Bern, Lucerne and Biel to sell recreational cannabis in pharmacies as a pilot project. The project, involving over 1,000 participants, is expected to start in Bern in the autumn and in Lucerne and Biel at the beginning of 2024.
4th April 2023
Switzerland: The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) has amended the Ordinance on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances to add hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and ten other substances to the list of illegal new psychoactive substances. The list is already in force.
4th April 2023
Switzerland: The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has given its approval to the city of Lausanne to sell recreational cannabis as a pilot project. The first harvest is scheduled for summer 2023 and points of sale should open around September. Lausanne is the third Swiss city to receive such approval, after Zurich and Basel.
23rd March 2023
Switzerland: The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has granted the city of Zurich permission to launch a three-and-a-half-year pilot project to collect data on the regulated purchase of recreational cannabis and its effects on the health and consumption behaviour of users. Sales will be made through pharmacies, social clubs and drug information centres and are expected to start in August. Nine cannabis products will be offered, varying in THC and CBD content.
30th January 2023
- Switzerland: The first recreational cannabis project has started today in the city of Basel. The project will sell cannabis in nine designated pharmacies for the first study group of 180 people. Two hashish and four cannabis flower products from Pure Production will be available. The participants will receive a questionnaire every two months about their consumption behaviour and their health.
27th January 2023
- Switzerland: The canton of Bern has spoken out against the pilot project to sell recreational cannabis in pharmacies. The cantonal government believes that "there are already enough studies and bases for a decision as to whether or not the non-medical use of cannabis should be legalised in Switzerland". The first pilot project for the legal sale of recreational cannabis, called Weed Care, is due to start later this month in the city of Basel.
9th December 2022
- Switzerland: After delaying the start of the pilot project to sell recreational cannabis in pharmacies for not meeting the quality standards stipulated in the Narcotics Act, the canton of Basel has announced that the project can start at the end of January 2023. The project received a new approval from the Federal Office of Public Health and will be supplied with Swiss organic cannabis products from the company Pure Production.
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