The controversial topic of cannabis is once again on everyone's lips due to the current legalization in Germany. For many people, this ancient cultivated plant is already integrated into everyday life, for example in cosmetics or as food. Many people are already aware of the numerous health and ecological benefits, but cannabis is still often mentioned in the same breath as other drugs. But what is the current legislation in Switzerland? Can cannabis be consumed and if so, how? In this article, you can find out what you should look out for before consuming hemp and which laws and regulations you should definitely know about.
Not all cannabis is the same. You should know that cannabis belongs to the group of prohibited narcotics under Swiss narcotics law [1]. The hemp plant has more than 120 cannabinoids. These are chemical compounds that we also already have in our bodies, without any consumption. Cannabidiol has a non-psychoactive effect. It is used in many different ways. Be it in medicine to treat pain, inflammation, anxiety, insomnia and seizures or to promote mental health and relaxation. CBD does not make you dependent or "high" and is therefore already permitted (regulated) in many countries.
In Switzerland, the consumption, possession, trade and cultivation of cannabis with a THC content of more than 1 percent is prohibited. Products with a content of less than 1 percent ("legal cannabis" or "CBD cannabis") can be consumed legally without any problems. You can do this in the form of oils, bulks, powders, pastes or cosmetics. Even if these products are not considered narcotics, there are still certain rules for them. Depending on the type of product, the Therapeutic Products Act, the Foodstuffs Act or the Federal Product Safety Act apply. In order to inform manufacturers about these rules, various authorities have drawn up a leaflet. It is worth noting that Switzerland placed cannabis under the Federal Narcotics Act in 2013. The consumption and possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis is now considered a minor offense and adult users over the age of 18 are subject to a fine of CHF 100.
Furthermore, you should know that the use of cannabis in road traffic is prohibited, as even small amounts of THC can be detected in the blood. In Switzerland, there is a zero tolerance for THC. If someone exceeds the permitted blood limit of 1.5 micrograms of THC per liter of blood, this is considered a criminal offense. The person concerned is classified as unfit to drive and can be sentenced to up to three years' imprisonment or a fine in accordance with Article 91 paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act.
It's no secret that Switzerland is generally very progressive when it comes to cannabis. The decriminalization of cannabis is an important step towards better managing the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. Around 7.7 percent of the Swiss population have used cannabis at least once in the last 12 months, according to the Swiss Addiction Monitoring. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reports that 4 percent of people have used cannabis in the last 30 days. Marijuana is the most widely consumed narcotic in Switzerland. Around a third of people aged 15 and over have had some experience with it. Other methods should therefore be used to stop the black market and illegal consumption. Since May 15, 2021, a change in the law has allowed pilot projects with controlled cannabis sales for recreational purposes. The aim is to gain scientific knowledge for future regulations. On September 25, 2020, Parliament passed an amendment to the Narcotics Act that enables these pilot projects. The amendment to the law is limited to ten years.
The laws on medicinal cannabis were also amended. Since August 1, 2022, it has been possible in Switzerland to have medical cannabis prescribed by a doctor in a simplified procedure. This is also one of the reasons why Sainfort has increased its focus on this.
In addition, Heinz Siegenthaler, member of the Swiss National Council, introduced a new parliamentary initiative on September 25, 2020. He is seeking comprehensive regulation for the cultivation, production, trade and consumption of cannabis containing THC (> 1 percent), based on the recommendations of the Federal Commission on Narcotics.
The objectives of this initiative are:
The future for CBD looks promising. There is a wide range of applications and growing interest in both the medical and wellness sectors. Switzerland is actively involved in the decriminalization process with its progressive approach and pilot projects. Other European countries are also recognizing the potential of this effective crop and, through legalization, are opening up more opportunities for consumers to integrate CBD into their everyday lives and create more space for enjoyment and wellness.
[1] https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/gesund-leben/sucht-und-gesundheit/cannabis.html