Swiss Cannabis Pilot Shows Positive Results After the First Year.
300kg of cannabis has been sold to participants in Zurich
A pilot scheme allowing adults in Zurich to lawfully buy cannabis and obtain harm reduction and health guidance is revealing positive results after its first 12 months as reported in a press release from Zurich's Health and Environment Department.
Citizens of Zurich partaking in the trial have been able to lawfully buy cannabis flowers and extracts containing THC from authorised sources such as drugstores and social clubs since August 2023. The study entitled “Züri Can – Cannabis with responsibility” commenced with 2,100 parties, with 150 dropping out in the first 12 months.
How Much Cannabis Has Been Sold?
Over the first year, 300kg of cannabis products have been sold to those taking part in the trial in Zurich via 21 drugstores, social clubs and drug information centres in the city. 88% have commented that they are satisfied with the grade of products on offer.
Some participants however have communicated a wish for a more extensive choice and more assortment. To satisfy this demand, four new flower products are scheduled for release going into the second year of sales. This means that there will soon be 13 different cannabis products for participants to choose from.
More than 50% of those taking part in the investigation were reported to have consumed cannabis four times a week at least. Although many participants use cannabis regularly, the bulk of them were found to be in good health when looking at the data that was compiled as part of the terms of the trial.
90% of the study parties have rated the retail staff at the outlets as skilled and many are using the free advice received from them and healthcare professionals to consider their cannabis consumption.
“Our approach shows that modern prevention work can go hand in hand with controlled access to cannabis products,” Andreas Hauri, Head of Health and Environment Department for Zurich. The project has been so well received and will provide valuable insights for future drug policy.”
The Zurich pilot scheme will run until October 2026 and is just one element of a more exhaustive sequence of pilot projects that are ongoing in several Swiss cities and regions.
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Liz Filmer
