Zurich To Launch Cannabis Legalization Pilot Program

The Swiss government has approved plans to legalize cannabis possession and consumption in the city of Zurich as part of a three-year pilot program to assess the social and economic impact of cannabis legalization. Through this trial, thousands of Zurich residents will be able to purchase cannabis for personal use starting this summer.

“This trial has a broad focus to gain data on the impact of different strengths of cannabis, what helps individuals make informed decisions, and the strengths and weaknesses of different distribution models. .” barbara buri saidproject manager of the Zurich City Health Office.

In this pilot program, a test group of up to 2,100 Zurich residents will be able to purchase prescribed amounts of cannabis for personal use from pharmacies, social clubs and special pharmacies. Researchers have arranged to place a total of 21 supply points throughout the city. Research-use cannabis sales are expected to begin at points of supply from August of this year.

Participants in this study could choose from a variety of cannabis products with varying potency of THC and CBD. All cannabis products obtained through the pilot program are organically produced by licensed Swiss companies and lab tested for purity and potency. The price of cannabis available at research supply points will now be set to reflect the city’s illicit market price.

After receiving government approval, two producers, Pure Production AG and Swissextract, will begin growing cannabis for research purposes. according to a report from forbes. The first harvest of cured cannabis flowers will be ready in July, and the cannabis concentrate is expected to arrive at the pilot program’s supply points in October.

Participants in this survey, conducted by Zurich City Council in collaboration with the University of Zurich, must complete a questionnaire every six months during the three-year study period. The questionnaire asks participants about their cannabis consumption habits and the health effects of cannabis use.

Study focuses on impact of legalization in Zurich

According to a CNBC report, the study’s leaders say the goal of the pilot program is to determine the conditions under which cannabis legalization in Switzerland can be compatible with “promoting individual and public health and safety.” The data collected from the trial will be published progressively starting next year.

“The idea is to have robust real-world evidence that can help inform new policymaking. [national] cannabis regulation Bri said.

Researchers conducting studies weigh and contrast the pros and cons of different cannabis products and sources. The study will also assess Zurich’s current illicit cannabis market, with research focused on maintaining public health, ensuring public safety, and protecting youth from the risks of cannabis use.

Residents of Zurich interested in participating in a pilot study of cannabis legalization should: Register for the program onlineParticipants must be active cannabis users over the age of 18. Pregnant women, professional drivers and those with underlying medical conditions are not eligible to participate in research pilots. Research candidates who show signs of drug dependence or worsening health from drug use are also ineligible.

A public health survey found that about a third of Swiss adults have tried cannabis. Zurich, the most populous city in the Alpine country with about 420,000 inhabitants, has around 13,000 regular cannabis users, according to research.

In 2020, the Swiss parliament passed a so-called experimental clause in the Narcotics Act, allowing studies to be conducted on the regulated sale of cannabis. On May 15, 2021, changes to the Narcotics Act came into effect, allowing for pilot trials governing the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes.

The City of Basel is the first municipality in Switzerland to carry out a pilot study, which was launched last year with 400 participants. Other planned pilot studies in the Swiss cities of Bern, Lausanne, Geneva, Biel, Thun, Olten and Winterthur will be conducted in the coming months.

Malta is the only country in the EU to legalize recreational cannabis for personal use, even though the small Mediterranean island nation has not legalized the sale of adult cannabis. Germany is likely to be her next EU member state to legalize recreational marijuana, with legislative legislation due soon. The Czech Republic has also announced plans to legalize cannabis for adults, but details of the plan have yet to be announced.

Officials in Luxembourg and Belgium have proposed plans to legalize cannabis that would allow its cultivation for personal use. And last month, the Netherlands launched a pilot program for cannabis sales in the cities of Tilburg and Breda.