Cannabis Research Zürich

The social and economic consequences of legalising recreational cannabis use in Switzerland.

The aim of the pilot trial in the canton of Zurich is to investigate the social and economic consequences of legalising recreational cannabis use in Switzerland. In addition, the effects of a self-regulation programme for the prevention of excessive cannabis use are to be studied. This involves a randomised controlled trial (RCT).  

Research questions

• What are the effects of legal access to cannabis on various social and economic factors? 
• What are the possible underlying mechanisms explaining these effects?
  
• Can the potentially negative effects of legalisation be reduced by the availability of a voluntary programme to regulate cannabis use?

Legalization model

• Commercial sales via pharmacies
  
  • Physical sales outlets
    
    
• Profit-oriented sales in cannabis shops
  • Physical sales outlets

 

Responsible organisation(s)

Institution responsible for carrying out the study  

• ETH Zürich, KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle
• Universität Zürich, Department of Economics
   

Contact

• Dr. Andreas Beerli (ETH)
  [e-mail]
• Prof. Dr. Michel Maréchal (UZH)
  [e-mail]
• KOF FB KOF Lab
  Leonhardstrasse 21
  8092 Zürich

 

Canton(s)

Zürich

Commune(s)

Schlieren, Uster, Horgen, Wädenswil, Adliswil, Zürich, Winterthur

Planned duration of the study

Until December 2028

Points of sale

• Specialty stores
  
• pharmacies

Study type

• Randomised controlled trial (RCT)
  
  

Sample size

Experimental group n1 = 2500
Experimental group n2 = 2500
Control group = 2500

Funder

• Swiss Cannabis Research Association

Links

• www.swisscannabis-research.ch/pilotversuche-cannabis

Last modification 18.04.2024