In an ideal scenario, adult-use cannabis products would be legally sold across the European Union, much like they are in Canada. However, current European Union agreements prohibit member nations from allowing regulated recreational cannabis sales at a national level.

What current European Union agreements do allow is limited, local adult-use cannabis sales as part of research projects. Such research efforts are often referred to as ‘pilot trials’ and involve cultivators, retailers, and adult consumers registering to participate in commerce so that lawmakers and regulators can gain data and insight to be better suited when crafting national laws and regulations.

Pilot trials are currently operating in several jurisdictions in Switzerland and the Netherlands, including in Breda, a city and municipality in the southern part of the Netherlands. Breda was one of the first jurisdictions in the Netherlands to launch a pilot research effort, and authorities have so far found zero violations at participating coffeeshops.

“The cannabis experiment in Breda has not resulted in any violations at coffeeshops in recent years, according to answers from the Municipality of Breda to questions from BredaNu. Since the start of the experiment in 2023, coffeeshops have been inspected by the Inspectorate of Justice and Security.” reported Cannabis Industrie in its original coverage.

“The inspectorate draws up reports during inspections, after which the municipality assesses whether a violation has occurred and whether a sanction will follow. According to the Municipality of Breda, this has not been necessary to date.” the outlet also reported.

The positive results from Breda’s pilot trial will hopefully contribute to the increasing momentum for pilot trials in other jurisdictions, notably in Germany, where the concept of pilot trials was approved as part of the historic 2024 CanG legalization law. Unfortunately, even though several German jurisdictions have submitted applications for pilot trials, none have received approval so far.

In Basel, Switzerland, where Europe’s first pilot trial launched, authorities continue to find positive results.

“Thanks to the Weed Care pilot project, the inhalation of smoke from joints containing tobacco has fallen significantly, the cantonal health department said on Thursday. Health risks have been reduced and consumption has not increased.” stated Swiss Info in its local coverage. “The introduction last autumn of non-smoked cannabis products – namely vaporisers and oils – into the controlled sales scheme has been a success: they now account for nearly a fifth of consumption, without total consumption having increased, the health department added.”

An interdisciplinary research team affiliated with the Addiction Department of the Department of Health of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, the University of Basel, the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), and Psychiatric Services Aargau previously published findings in May 2025 from a study that relied on data from the Weed Care pilot trial. The study’s findings, which were the first academic reporting of its kind, were published on the University of Basel’s website in addition to being published in the academic journal Addiction.

“We measured the effects of public health-oriented cannabis access compared with the illegal market on cannabis use and related mental health outcomes in adult cannabis users.” the researchers stated about their 2025 study. “This was a two-arm, parallel group, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Follow-up outcome measurement took place after 6 months.”

“The primary outcome was self-reported severity of cannabis misuse after 6 months, as measured by the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test – Revised (range 0–32). Secondary outcomes involved depressive, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms, cannabis consumption amount, alcohol, and drug use.” the researchers wrote regarding their investigation’s measurements. “Public health-oriented recreational cannabis access may decrease cannabis use and cannabis-related harms, especially among those using other drugs.”

A common talking point among cannabis opponents is that legal access to adult-use cannabis products will increase problematic cannabis use in society. The study’s findings contradict that claim. Another common talking point among opponents is the claim that legal cannabis use will lead to a decline in mental health among consumers. This 2025 Swiss study also provided findings that addressed that claim.

“Furthermore, the study was able to dispel fears that legalization could exacerbate the psychopathological symptoms associated with cannabis consumption in addition to consumption itself: after the first six months, there was no difference between the two study groups in terms of depression, anxiety or other symptoms.” stated the University of Basel on its website at the time. “The interim assessment after two years of study shows a significant improvement in the mental state of the approximately 300 or so participants who are still taking part.”