Swiss Pilot Program Explores Regulated Cannabis Sales

ZURICH — In an innovative exploration of the cannabis market, Switzerland has launched a pilot program named “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility.” The program, which began on August 22, will be a three-year study concluding in 2026, aiming to gauge the impacts and feasibility of regulated cannabis sales.

The study, reported by Swissinfo, permits the 1,200 pre-approved participants to purchase cannabis from nine pharmacies and six social clubs in Zurich. Consumption is restricted to private rooms or designated social clubs. Notably, the participant pool consists of 80% men, aged between 18 to 80 years.

Eligibility for the program was stringent: residents were required to be from one of the 12 districts of Zurich, be regular cannabis users for at least a year, be proficient in German, and neither be a professional driver nor pregnant. Zurich municipal health department project manager, Barbara Burri, stated that the program would gather data on “the effects of different strengths of cannabis, what helps individuals make informed decisions and the pros and cons of different models of sale.”

Originally announced in September 2021, the program experienced a delay in October 2022 due to the intricacy of its setup. However, by March of this year, both the Zurich city government and the Zurich University Hospital gave the nod, approving two cultivators for the program: Pure Production and Swissextract.

Pure Production, on their Instagram, marked the start of sales, emphasizing their pride in being part of such a novel initiative. They offer two concentrates, Sour Pollen and Lemon Resin, and hinted at introducing flower products soon.

Meanwhile, Swissextract detailed its cultivation operation, growing 2,500 plants in a sizable greenhouse. The company highlighted three strains for the study, with varied THC and CBD percentages. Additional products from both cultivators are anticipated post-fall 2023.

The SCRIPT (Safer Cannabis Research In Pharmacies) study, another Swiss initiative set to launch this fall, will be conducted by researchers from the University of Bern and Lucerne in cities including Bern, Lucerne, and Biel. With over a thousand applications received, the SCRIPT study aims to “investigate the health and social effects of a strictly regulated, non-profit-oriented sale of cannabis in pharmacies,” according to its study head, Reto Auer.

One applicant of the SCRIPT study, a 40-year-old woman identified as E.S., discussed with Swissinfo the therapeutic role cannabis played in managing her menstrual pain and post-work relaxation. She emphasized her wish to explore cannabis varieties without being reliant on the black market.

These programs underscore Switzerland’s meticulous approach to navigating the challenges of cannabis regulations. With over a decade in the making, especially for the SCRIPT program, it represents the nation’s drive to find a balance between consumer needs and regulatory challenges.