The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Controlled cannabis sale in Zurich greenlighted

pharmacist presenting glass with cannabis to consumer
More than 200,000 people in Switzerland light up on a regular basis according to the health authorities. © Keystone / Georgios Kefalas

The Swiss health authorities have paved the way for a trial with cannabis in the city of Zurich later this year.

The Zurich city government and the Zurich University Hospital said on Wednesday that the Federal Office of Public Health approved the conditions for the organic production of two separate strains of cannabis.

The project, Zuri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility, is intended to study the impact of regulated cannabis supply on the consumption and health of consumers.

The project was delayed last October following objections by the health office.

Control groups 

The sale of cannabis products from pharmacies and social clubs to control groups is now due to begin next August.

A maximum of 2,100 participants can take part in the large-scale pilot project in Switzerland’s biggest city.

A first trial with about 400 participants was launched in the city of Basel last year, following a legal amendment by the Swiss parliament in 2020 allowing for trials to study the impact of the use of cannabis for recreational use.

+ Read about the economic impact of cannabis legalisation in Switzerland

More

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Biswind restricts air traffic at Zurich Airport

More

Wind restricts air traffic at Zurich Airport

This content was published on The bise, a cold dry wind, played havoc with air traffic at Zurich Airport on Friday. Numerous flights were delayed and some were cancelled.

Read more: Wind restricts air traffic at Zurich Airport
Confederation and cantons profit from banknotes that are not exchanged

More

Swiss authorities profit from unexchanged banknotes

This content was published on The Swiss government and cantons will receive over CHF700 million from the Swiss National Bank because old banknotes worth almost CHF1 billion have not been exchanged.

Read more: Swiss authorities profit from unexchanged banknotes
Lausanne research team develops aquatic robots from fish food

More

Swiss develop robots made of fish food

This content was published on The edible device will collect data on the condition of water bodies or distribute nutrients and medicines in the water.

Read more: Swiss develop robots made of fish food
Legal cannabis reduces abuse, especially among mixed users

More

Legal distribution of cannabis can reduce abuse

This content was published on The legal distribution of cannabis can reduce problematic consumption, particularly among people who also use other drugs, according to a study from Basel.

Read more: Legal distribution of cannabis can reduce abuse

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR