Multiple jurisdictions in Switzerland are home to interesting cannabis public policy experiments. Regional cannabis commerce pilot trials, in which producers, retailers, and consumers can enroll to participate in legal cannabis commerce for research purposes, are operating in multiple cities in Switzerland.
The City of Zurich is one such jurisdiction. The regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot project “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” was launched in 2023. The pilot trial, operated by the City of Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and the University of Zurich, is described as “investigating the effects of purchasing selected cannabis products from controlled cultivation under regulated conditions on participants’ consumption and health.”
“The study will focus on investigating the health effects of regulated cannabis sales on cannabis users, with three different types of sales model being compared. In an application process, a total of 21 supply points were selected, which can now each enrol 50 to 150 cannabis users as participants. The study aims to enable trained staff at the supply points to develop a personal relationship with the participants and provide them with individual advice on their cannabis use.” the Switzerland Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) wrote on its website earlier this year.
“A special feature of the “Zuri Can – Cannabis with responsibility” study are the social clubs, which are the first non-profit associations in Europe whose members are legally entitled to purchase cannabis and then consume it together.” FOPH also wrote about the study. “The scientific findings emerging from the study will form the basis for discussions concerning an evidence-based and practical future implementation of a responsible cannabis policy in Switzerland.”
The City of Zurich recently announced that it has applied for an extension of the research study. Originally slated to operate until 2026, the City of Zurich is seeking to extend the study into 2028.
“The city of Zurich announced on Monday that the extension would cost CHF800,000 ($1 million). The previous plan was to conduct the study until 2026. Consumers have so far purchased around 750kg of cannabis in 88,000 sales.” reported SwissInfo in its local coverage.
“In July 2025, the federal government approved an increase in the number of participants from 2,100 to 3,000, and the city wants to attract more occasional users and women. These were previously underrepresented.” the outlet also reported.
Stauffacher Apotheke is a participant in the “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” trial. Alex Rogers, founder and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference, recently visited Stauffacher Apotheke. Check out the video at this link to learn more about Alex Rogers’ recent visit.