CanLeg – Canton of St.Gallen

The pilot study examines the demand for and consumption of legally purchased cannabis, as well as the impact of distribution channels on recreational cannabis use. It is a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

The study is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on questions regarding willingness to pay and the quality of cannabis. The second part examines the influence of various distribution channels, including online ordering followed by delivery. It is a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The study aims to generate insights into the regulatory, economic, and social impacts of a possible future regulation of cannabis.

• Research Questions

  What impact does legal access to cannabis have on various social and economic factors? How do different sales channels affect cannabis use?

• Legalisation model

  Commercial market
  Sales through pharmacies and specialty stores and online ordering with delivery

• Responsible organisation(s)

  Institution responsible for carrying out the study

  • ETH Zurich, KOF Swiss Economic Institute
  • University of Zurich, Department of Economics

  Contact

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

• Canton(s)

  St. Gallen

• Commune(s)

  Wil, Buchs, Rohrschach, Sargans, Rapperswil-Jona

• Planned duration of the study

  May 2026 to May 2031

• Points of sale

  • Specialty stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Online ordering with delivery

• Study type

  Randomised controlled trial (RCT)

• Sample size

  Planned total sample size: N = 5’000

• Sponsor

  • Swiss Cannabis Research Association

• Link

  https://stgallen.pilotversuche.ch/