Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are currently operating in multiple jurisdictions in Switzerland, including Zurich, Basel, Lausanne, Geneva, and in the cantons of St Gallen and Basel-Country. The pilot trials allow adults to participate in limited recreational cannabis commerce (production, retail, and purchasing) so researchers, regulators, and lawmakers can gather information to better inform national laws and industry regulations.

The nation’s first pilot trial was launched in January 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. The SCRIPT pilot trial, which operates in the Swiss cities of Bern, Biel, and Lucerne, launched sales in the spring of 2024. The SCRIPT trial launch involved a staggered rollout, with an initial group of participants being able to start making purchases immediately, followed by a second group being able to start making purchases six months later. The trial was originally slated to run for 18 months after the second group began making purchases, but was later extended until October 2028.

“The main aim of this pilot trial is to evaluate how cannabis use is affected by regulated not-for-profit sales of cannabis in pharmacies, together with advisory services. Any shift from smoking to other forms of cannabis use will be of particular interest.” the Federal Office of Public Health states on its website about the SCRIPT trial.

In total, 777 people are signed up to make legal cannabis purchases in Bern, 261 in Lucerne, and 139 in Biel. A total of 78.1 percent of the SCRIPT study participants identify as male, 21.3 percent as female, and 0.6 percent with other pronouns. The largest age group is 26-to-35-year-olds (39.1 percent of participants).

An interim assessment of the cannabis pilot trial was presented this week, with researchers finding that “regulated access to cannabis does not lead to increased consumption – on the contrary, there are even slight downward trends.” The assessment also determined that “regulated distribution also opens up opportunities for harm reduction by advising users on lower-risk methods of consumption, such as vaporizing or oral ingestion.”

“The study provided evidence that regulated distribution through pharmacies can encourage a switch to potentially lower-risk methods of consumption,” explained study leader Reto Auer from the Bern Institute of Primary Health Care at the University of Bern (translated from German to English).

“Furthermore, 71 percent of the study participants stated that they would pass on the risk-minimization information they received at the study pharmacies to their social circles.” the researchers wrote in a press release.

“Sixty-five percent of the cannabis products sold in the study were cannabis flowers, followed by e-liquids at 21 percent. Prices are based on the illegal market. However, since they also include a simulated tax, they are slightly above the average price on the illegal market. This tax is used, among other things, to finance counseling services in pharmacies.” the researchers added.

“The majority of study participants rated purchasing cannabis from pharmacies as straightforward and professional, as study coordinator Rebecca Tomaschek from the Bern Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM) at the University of Bern explained. The mere possibility of obtaining cannabis products legally and without contact with the illegal market is perceived positively by many, Tomaschek said. Consumers valued the consistent product quality, the secure purchasing environment, and the transparency regarding ingredients.” the researchers wrote.

“The findings so far paint a picture of regulated distribution that is not only beneficial to health but also has a positive social impact. This supports the direction of the draft Federal Act on Cannabis Products (CanPG), which is currently being debated in the Federal Assembly,” said City Councillor Ursina Anderegg.

“In Biel, too, it is evident that regulation offers greater health safety for consumers and contributes to destigmatizing them. The positive experiences in the area of ​​security, in particular the absence of incidents during the course of the study so far, suggest that regulated distribution is also proving effective in this respect,” said Natasha Pittet, Director of Social Affairs and Security in Biel.

Positive results have been found in other Swiss jurisdictions where cannabis pilot trials are operating.

“The black market for cannabis in Lausanne has lost 2 million francs in revenue since the opening of the legal sales outlet Cann-L in 2023. This pilot trial of regulated cannabis sales covers approximately 20% of the estimated consumption in the Vaud capital, according to the Lausanne Municipality.” reported RTS back in April (translated from French to English).

“The results of the Cann-L project are very positive. Not only have we removed 2 million francs from the illegal market and now cover 20% of consumption in Lausanne, but we are also contributing to the protection of the health of the people involved,” said Emilie Moeschler, municipal councilor in charge of social cohesion, according to RTS.

Participants in the Zurich study report improvements in their quality of sleep and other health benefits, according to researchers.

“Participants in the “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” study reported less problematic cannabis use, fewer sleep disturbances, and fewer anxiety symptoms. They also reported a decrease in physical complaints, which led to fewer visits to doctors. Furthermore, the levels of depression and general chronic health problems remained stable, the city of Zurich announced.” reported SwissInfo in its local coverage (translated from German to English).

“Researchers at the University of Zurich attribute the improvements to accompanying harm reduction measures. These include individual counseling by specialists, clear THC limits, and strict purchase limits.” the outlet also reported. “The results suggest that legal access could help make existing consumption less risky, the report continues.”