Swiss Canton Continues To Block Cannabis Pilot Trial

Multiple jurisdictions in Switzerland are now home to research-based regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, in which a limited number of cannabis producers, retailers, and customers participate in limited regulated cannabis commerce.
Current European Union agreements prohibit national adult-use cannabis product sales within member nations, but EU agreements do permit cannabis research to be conducted, and pilot trials fall within that scope.
Despite the ongoing success of cannabis pilot trials in other jurisdictions in Switzerland, authorities in the canton of Valais have continued to block a pilot trial from launching there. Valais is estimated to have a population of roughly 350,000 people.
According to IG Hanf (Association of Hemp), there is no merit to the continued claims by authorities in Valais that there isn’t enough interest in the area for launching a pilot trial, and that the continued blocking of a pilot trial is “an obstacle to science.”
“Although 64% of Valais residents support a pilot project on THC-containing cannabis, the cantonal authorities continue to refuse to engage in dialogue. A research project compatible with federal law has been blocked for over three years.” the association stated on its website in a recent news release (translated from German to English).
The organization lists three benefits of launching a regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trial in Valais:
- The project would have enabled a better understanding of the actual use, risks and impacts on public health in the Canton of Valais.
- It would have created jobs in a legal, local and innovative sector.
- It would have brought Valais and its interests back into the national debate on a drug policy based on facts and not on prejudice.
“The message from citizens is clear: they want responsible regulation, not ostrich-like policies. By even refusing to open a dialogue, the cantonal authorities are not only preventing controlled research but are also sending a contradictory message: they prefer repression to regulation, ideology to science. This is a political decision with serious consequences for prevention, transparency, and trust in institutions.” the organization stated.
“It’s clear that only cannabis regulation can curb dangerous excesses and effectively protect the health of consumers, especially young people,” says Benjamin Foro, board member and media spokesperson for IG Hanf. “It’s high time to end the outdated prohibition policy and find a pragmatic solution.”
The continued prevention of a pilot trial in Valais comes at a time when the pilot trial in Zurich is set to expand from 2,100 participants to 3,000. The regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot project “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” was launched in 2023.
“Over 90 percent of participants now obtain their cannabis products from legal sources, i.e. from one of the three specialist stores or one of the nine pharmacies taking part.” Blue News previously reported about Zurich’s pilot trial.
Another jurisdiction in Switzerland participating in regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials is Basel, where researchers are finding benefits to allowing adult-use commerce. The results of a previous study, which was 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.
“Public health-oriented recreational cannabis access may decrease cannabis use and cannabis-related harms, especially among those using other drugs.” the researchers of that study concluded.
“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.
“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.” the University also wrote.
Earlier this year, Marijuana Moment reported that a government-commissioned report found that Switzerland’s adult-use cannabis legalization pilot program is “running smoothly,” with “no indication of any disturbances to public order.”
“About two years after the pilot program launched in seven municipalities across the country, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) study—carried out by the University of Lausanne and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland—generally determined that the initiative has been a success.” the outlet also reported.