Switzerland's Züri Can project: A model for future cannabis regulation
The Züri Can initiative is the largest and most ambitious effort in Europe to regulate cannabis sales. Its purpose is not only to replace illegal markets but also to gather scientific data for future national regulations. As a result of the findings so far, Zurich has decided to extend this experiment until 2028 and to increase the number of participants, as early data indicates many consumers are shifting from illegal sources to licensed sellers.
These pilot projects were made possible by a change to the Federal Narcotics Act that became effective in May 2021, which allows for scientific experiments with recreational cannabis under specific conditions. The aim is not to sneak legalisation through but to systematically study how different regulation models affect user health, black market operations, public safety, and the protection of minors.
How does the regulated sale of cannabis work in the Züri Can study?
The Züri Can project began in Zurich in 2023, in collaboration with the city, the University of Zurich, and other research organisations, to analyse the effects of purchasing standardised products from controlled cannabis cultivation at licensed locations. Participants must be adult residents of Zurich who already use cannabis, are not professional drivers, and consent to long-term monitoring of their consumption, health, and living situations through questionnaires and health check-ups.
Initial findings from the cannabis studies and reasons for expanding the project in Zurich
After a year of operation, the study shows that over ninety per cent of participants buy cannabis through the regulated system, indicating significant potential to reduce the black market if the conditions are accessible and competitively priced. Accordingly, Zurich plans to boost the number of participants to around three thousand and has increased the project budget to gather more extensive data, especially concerning women and occasional users, who have not been well-represented in the research so far.
The Züri Can project is part of a broader network of pilot studies across Switzerland, taking place in cities like Basel, Bern, Lausanne, and Lucerne, each testing different sales approaches—from city stores to pharmacies and non-profit clubs. By mid-2024, around seven thousand adults are expected to have participated, providing a small but significant sample of the cannabis-using population in Switzerland, enabling comparisons of which regulatory models work best for health, safety, and ease of administration.
The role of the Swiss cannabis pilot projects in the legalisation discussion
Federal officials have publicly stated that the findings from these pilot projects will help establish the scientific basis for potential nationwide regulations on legal recreational cannabis later in this decade. Early analyses show that regulated sales can improve product safety, aid in prevention efforts, and enhance communication with users, without leading to a significant increase in marijuana consumption, thereby supporting those who advocate for a legal but strictly controlled market instead of outright prohibition.
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Liz Filmer
