Exceptional licences and licences for banned narcotics
The FOPH may grant exceptional licences for the handling of prohibited narcotics, licences in connection with diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment and licences for pilot trials with cannabis.
Banned narcotics such as diacetylmorphine, LSD or cannabis for non-medicinal purposes (cannabis on list d of the Narcotics Lists Ordinance (NarcLO-FDHA)) may not be cultivated, imported, produced or placed on the market as a matter of principle (cf. Article 8, paragraph 1 NarcA). The FOPH may, however, issue exceptional licences permitting these substances to be handled for specific purposes:
Exceptional licences for banned narcotics
The FOPH can issue exceptional licences for the cultivation, import, manufacture or placing on the market of banned narcotics.
Licences for diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment
Diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment is governed specifically by the Narcotics Act (NarcA; RS 812.121) and is subject to a federal licensing system.
Authorisation of pilot trials under Art. 8a NarcA
The FOPH can grant authorisations for scientific pilot trials involving the controlled dispensing of non-medicinal cannabis that are limited in time, place and scope, provided new insights into cannabis use can be gained.