Swiss Study Finds Legal Cannabis Access Reduces ‘Problematic Consumption’

Roughly two years ago, Switzerland launched what was then a unique approach to science-based cannabis commerce research. The European nation launched the first of what has eventually become a series of regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, which involve permitting local production and sales of recreational cannabis products. Pilot trials now also operate in the Netherlands and are part of Germany’s legalization model, although pilot trials have yet to launch in Germany due to various reasons.

Whereas current European Union agreements prohibit national adult-use cannabis sales like those found in Canada, the agreements do permit member nations to conduct research that is focused on improving public health outcomes, which is the goal of pilot research trials. Pilot trials are aimed at gathering data and insight at a local level to help lawmakers and regulators be better suited when crafting national policies.

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 recently published findings from a study that relied on data from the Weed Care pilot trial project in Switzerland.

The study’s findings, which are 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 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.” the researchers concluded.

A common talking point among cannabis opponents is that legal access to adult-use cannabis products will increase problematic cannabis use in society. This 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 Switzerland 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.

“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.

“There has never been a controlled, randomized study like this before,” emphasizes Dr. Lavinia Baltes-Flückiger, deputy head of the study at the Psychiatric Services Aargau and lead author of the study, according to the University of Basel’s reporting.

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.

Previously published government data from the United States found that in jurisdictions where adult-use cannabis legalization was adopted, consumption rates among minors had reduced post-legalization compared to pre-legalization. The results of a Canadian study that was published last month found that while reported overall cannabis use in Canadian society increased post-legalization, “misuse decreased.”