You are here: Home > Laws and Politics > Switzerland

Switzerland

Translate this page in your preferred language:

 

You can translate the content of this page by selecting a language in the select box.


Legal aspects of marijuana use

Country report – Switzerland

written by: Rudolf Brenneisen - Prof., PhD; Head of STCM
Last update September 2018 

The regulation of cannabis in Switzerland is pursuant to the following laws (you may click to access the full laws): 1. Swiss Narcotic Law 1951-10-03 («Bundesgesetz über die Betäubungsmittel und die psychotropen Stoffe (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, BetmG). 2. «Einheitsübereinkommen 1961 über die Betäubungsmittel», active 1970-02-22, Revision 2011-07-01, status 2018-01-01, Comment 2018-01-22.

The consumption and possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis is treated only as a simple violation of the law and can be punished in adults with a fine of CHF 100 (Art. 19b (2) BetmG). For minors, juvenile justice continues to apply.  

The government agencies who are responsible for cannabis regulations are: Federal Office for Public Health, FOPH («Bundesamt für Gesundheit BAG») and Swissmedic (you may click to access the websites of these agencies).

Currently there is no specific government agency for medical cannabis, but this is under discussions.

The current legal environment for cannabis is Switzerland:

Recreational use:

legal only for cannabis with max. 1% total THC. Referendum demanding total decriminalization and liberalization of cannabis is in preparation. So far no pro majority in Swiss parliament.

Medical use:

Cannabis (floss) in generally not allowed. THC preparations with more than 1% total THC require special FOPH permit. In contrast to THC, CBD is not scheduled, and it is available in pharmacies as CBD-cannabis preparation; pure CBD cannot be prescribed, however, is available e.g. in hemp shops as food supplement. No opposition in Swiss parliament regarding medical cannabis. Most politicians and parties demand easier access to medical cannabis with less bureaucracy and paper work, however, only via professionals (physician and pharmacist).

Research:

THC and Cannabis are allowed for research, especially when dedicated to development of cannabinoid medicines, but also for laboratory purposes. Such research, however requires special FOPH permit (plus IRB and Swissmedic notification).

 

The following cannabis products are currently available in Switzerland:

Cannabinoid medicines, such as Sativa oil or cannabis tincture, THC-based drugs, CBD-cannabis preparations (pure CBD not allowed). Amounts and dosages according to good medical and pharmaceutical practice, not regulated by authorities.

Sativex is approved by Swissmedic

There are more than 500 companies producing/distributing CBD/CBD preparations

THC-cannabis as raw material often imported, e.g. from Bedrocan.

Cannabinoid medicines and THC preparations are distributed by pharmacies, medical cabinets or hospitals; CBD, CBD-cannabis or <1% THC-cannabis via hemp shops, kiosk, discounter etc., but no indication allowed.

The market regulation is currently under discussion, for both recreational and medical cannabis (ongoing referendum).

Patients are authorized via their physician or clinician; products with more than 1% of THC require a special permit from the FOPH. Very few public pharmacies are qualified and willing to dispense cannabinoid medicines. Main indications are spasticity, pain and neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, rather seldomly mental disorders.

The different stakeholders in Switzerland include: Swiss Task Force for Cannabinoids in Medicine (STCM), Swiss Safe Access for Cannabinoids (SSAC), and Medical Cannabis Club Zurich.

 

 

 

 

Online Events 2020

Please find all information of IACM Online Events including free videos of the webinars here.

Conference 2022

The 12th IACM Conference on Cannabinoids in Medicine will be we be held on 20 and 21 October 2022 together with the Swiss SSCM in Basel/Switzerland.

Members only

Regular members can sign up for the new member area of the IACM to access exclusive content.

You need to become a regular member of the IACM to access the new member area.

IACM on Twitter

Follow us on twitter @IACM_Bulletin where you can send us inquiries and receive updates on research studies and news articles.