Switzerland Advances Draft for Regulated Cannabis Sales with Centralized Online Distribution

BERN – Switzerland has released a draft proposal for legalizing adult-use Cannabis, featuring a tightly controlled system that includes one authorized online retailer alongside licensed brick-and-mortar stores. The plan, now open for public input through a three-month consultation period starting this month, aims to shift consumers away from the black market while prioritizing public health and quality standards. Under the framework, sales would operate on a not-for-profit basis, with revenues directed toward addiction prevention, harm reduction programs, and health insurance subsidies.

The Federal Council’s initiative builds on ongoing pilot programs in several Swiss cities, where limited regulated distribution has been tested since 2021. If enacted, the law could take effect as early as 2026, positioning Switzerland as the first European nation with a nationwide commercial adult-use framework. Adults over 18 would gain access to Cannabis products with THC limits [up to 20% for flowers and 60% for extracts] through verified outlets. Home cultivation would be permitted for up to three plants per person, further reducing dependence on illicit sources. Strict rules would prohibit advertising, require plain packaging, and impose taxes to fund oversight and support services.

This model draws comparisons to Ontario’s Cannabis system in Canada, where a government-run online platform, the Ontario Cannabis Store, has handled digital sales since 2018. In Switzerland, the single online channel could streamline distribution, ensure consistent quality checks, and limit underage access through age verification protocols. However, critics argue that centralizing online sales might stifle competition and innovation, potentially leading to higher prices or supply bottlenecks if the designated retailer faces operational challenges. Proponents counter that the approach minimizes risks associated with a fully privatized market, such as aggressive marketing seen in some U.S. states.

Industry observers note potential opportunities for partnerships between Cannabis producers, pharmaceutical firms, and retail specialists to handle cultivation, testing, and logistics under state guidelines. With an estimated 300,000 regular Cannabis users in Switzerland, the regulated market could generate significant tax revenue [projected to exceed current black-market estimates], while providing data on consumption patterns to refine policies. Yet, the plan’s success depends on addressing enforcement inconsistencies across cantons and incorporating feedback from the consultation, which ends in December 2025.

As Switzerland navigates this transition, the emphasis on controlled access offers a measured path forward. The proposed model, despite being a monopoly, could balance consumer protection with economic potential. However, its restrictive elements may hinder short-term growth for private enterprises compared to more open systems elsewhere in Europe.