This page provides answers to frequently asked questions relating to the cannabis pilot trials. It also contains information on the objectives, participation and organisation of the trials
The aim is to increase knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of controlled access to cannabis, and to provide a sound scientific basis for possible decisions on the way the approach to cannabis is regulated.
Growing, importing, producing and selling cannabis is prohibited in Switzerland. Despite this ban, consumption is widespread, the black market is thriving, and users’ safety is not guaranteed.
In view of this unsatisfactory situation, parliament decided to amend the Narcotics Act (NarcA) to create the possibility for a limited period of ten years to test the impact of new regulatory approaches to the way cannabis is handled. The new legislation allows pilot trials to be conducted on non-medical cannabis use in adults. The aim is to provide a sound scientific basis for possible decisions on the design of cannabis regulation.
The pilot trials look at the use of cannabis by adults for recreational purposes. They do not cover medically prescribed cannabis use for medicinal purposes.
The pilot trials are designed to give us a better understanding of the effects of controlled access to cannabis on the physical and mental health of users and on behaviour linked to cannabis consumption. In addition, the study will look at socio-economic aspects, such as the effects on users’ work capacity (absenteeism) and on their family and social relationships. These scientific studies may also examine the impact on the local black market and the protection of young people and public safety. However, the specific research questions will be decided by the relevant research projects.
As part of these scientific studies, users will be able to legally purchase various cannabis-based products, the quality of which will be highly regulated. As well as receiving product information, participants will be made aware of the risks of cannabis consumption by staff at the points of sale who will be trained accordingly. Resort to the black market will thus be ruled out, because the supply chains, from seed to product distribution, will be monitored and strictly controlled. The pilot trials are subject to strict requirements in terms of the protection of minors and health protection, and a total ban on advertising.
The aim of these trials is to provide a sound scientific basis for any future decision-making on the design of cannabis regulation. The research is independent and open-ended. Outside these pilot trials, the ban on cannabis remains in force.
The aim is to provide a solid scientific basis for any future decision-making on cannabis regulation. In no way does this determine the outcome of any future political decisions. The trials are not merely examining the question of whether a ban or the legal sale and use would basically be more expedient. Rather, they are intended to also gain insights into how concrete alternatives to the prohibition of cannabis could be designed to minimise the social and health costs for society.
Only adults will take part in the pilot trials. Not only that, but the implementing ordinance (NarcPT) sets forth a range of measures to protect minors, including childproof packaging for cannabis products for oral use, the safe storage of cannabis products, and labelling with appropriate warnings. The passing on of trial-related cannabis will be sanctioned with appropriate measures and in the event of a repeat offence will result in exclusion from the pilot trial.
The projects will provide information on the conduct of the various pilot trials on an individual basis. The licence holders for pilot trials will be required to provide the FOPH with an annual progress update and record the results of the trials in a research report. The FOPH will inform the public periodically about ongoing pilot trials.
This depends on the planning of those responsible for organising the pilot trials. The FOPH itself will not be conducting any pilot trials. Trials require FOPH approval. For this reason the time taken for the FOPH to review applications must be taken into account.
That depends on when the various pilot trials actually start and what questions they are looking into. The first findings are not likely to appear before 2024. The FOPH will inform the public periodically about ongoing pilot trials. Once all the pilot trials are completed, the FOPH will draw up a report for the attention of the Federal Council evaluating the experience gained in the course of the pilot trials.
Pilot trials will be planned and conducted by private or public organisations. People interested in taking part can contact these organisations. Those managing the projects will inform the public about the timeframe and terms of participation as soon as they have received authorisation to conduct the trial. The FOPH itself will not be conducting any pilot trials.
No. The pilot trials will only be researching the use of cannabis by adults for non-medicinal purposes. A separate revision of the law is currently under way with regard to the medicinal use of cannabis.
No. The FOPH grants authorisation to conduct pilot trials. It is up to the private or public organisers to provide information on their pilot trial and approach participants potentially interested in taking part, as appropriate.
Participants must comply with the requirements set out by the organisers of the trial in which they are participating. The cannabis products they purchase may only be for their own use. It is prohibited to pass them on to third parties and to consume them in publicly accessible places.
No. Participant data cannot be passed on to third parties such as the authorities or the employer. The data received by the FOPH are anonymised. The relevant data protection provisions apply.
Pilot trials can be conducted by private or public organisations such as universities, local authorities, research institutes, associations or foundations. A recognised research institute must be involved in each pilot trial.
In order to implement a pilot trial, authorisation must be obtained from the FOPH. Before submitting an application, potential organisers should contact the cantonal and municipal authorities to clarify aspects relating to maintaining public order, safety, and the protection of minors. The planned points of sale must also be approved by the relevant municipal authorities.
The FOPH will grant authorisation if all the requirements in the ordinance on pilot trials are met and the competent ethics committee has approved the trial.
The pilot trials must be limited geographically to one or several communes. The duration is limited to five years. A one-off extension of a maximum of two years is possible upon justified request. The legislation governing pilot trials will apply for a limited ten-year period, from 15 May 2021 (their entry into force) to 14 May 2031. Participants must be limited to the number necessary required for the trial to be scientifically significant. The number may not exceed 5,000 per pilot trial.
Both unprocessed products such as cannabis flowers and processed products such as hashish and cannabis extracts may be dispensed. Also possible are cannabis products mixed with additives, for example solutions containing cannabis. Cannabis products may be designed to be smoked, inhaled, vaporised, or eaten or drunk (e.g. edibles). To protect the health of participants the cannabis products dispensed as part of pilot trials are subject to stringent quality requirements. For example, the cannabis product offered must, whenever possible, originate from organic farming and must not contain any contaminants such as pesticides that pose a health risk.
The price set will have to factor in the levels of THC contained in the product in question. In other words, “stronger” products should also be more expensive. The price should also be roughly in line with prices on the local black market. To avoid creating incentives to use more or resell on the black market, the selling price should not be substantially lower than the local black market price. However, to avoid the possibility of making the purchase appear unattractive to participants, the price should not be substantially higher either.
There is no legal basis allowing projects to be funded by the FOPH. The FOPH is responsible for granting approval for applications. The pilot trials must therefore be funded by third parties (cantons, communes, universities, associations, foundations, etc.). In principle, Swiss National Science Foundation funding is also possible.
No tobacco tax will be levied on the cannabis within the framework of the pilot trials. Imposing a tobacco tax on the sale of cannabis products as part of a scientific trial would not be fitting and would prejudice any definitive regulation.
Both unprocessed products such as cannabis flowers and processed products such as hashish and cannabis extracts may be dispensed. Also possible are cannabis products mixed with additives, for example solutions containing cannabis. Cannabis products may be designed to be smoked, inhaled, vaporised, or eaten or drunk (e.g. edibles). To protect the health of participants the cannabis products dispensed as part of pilot trials are subject to stringent quality requirements. For example, the cannabis product offered must, whenever possible, originate from organic farming and must not contain any contaminants such as pesticides that pose a health risk.
Cannabis products will be made available at suitable points of sale. The type of point of sale (pharmacy, specialist shop, cannabis social club, etc.) will be determined within the framework of the pilot trials and communicated to participants by the project organiser responsible. The points of sale must employ competent and appropriately trained staff, have adequate infrastructure in place, and keep the products secure from theft.
The cultivation of cannabis and the manufacture of cannabis products require an exceptional licence from the FOPH. Those responsible for a concrete pilot trial select their growers, producers and manufacturers themselves. In this connection interested growers, producers and manufacturers must contact an organisation conducting a pilot trial.
The FOPH will keep a list of interested producers that may potentially be suitable for producing cannabis for pilot trials. Interested growers, producers and manufacturers can contact the FOPH. On request this list may be handed out to those responsible for conducting a pilot trial. However, as the licensing authority, the FOPH cannot make any recommendations.
The requirements for cultivation and product quality as set down in the implementing ordinance (NarcPT) must be taken into account. This includes the requirement that whenever possible, the cannabis must be cultivated in accordance with the organic farming regulations and good agricultural practice for the cultivation of medicinal plants. Cultivation and manufacture also require an exceptional licence from the FOPH.
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases Division
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 463 88 24
E-mail
