A pilot cannabis legalisation trial in Zurich, Switzerland is producing positive results, according to a press release from the city’s Health and Environment Department.
Residents of Zurich participating in the trial have been able to legally purchase cannabis flower and extracts containing THC from approved sources such as pharmacies and social clubs since August 2023. The study, titled “Züri Can – Cannabis with responsibility” began with 2,100 participants, with 150 dropping out during the first year.
“Initial results show high satisfaction with the product and prevention offerings at distribution points,” said the press release, published by the City of Zurich, the University of Zurich and the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich.
Over the first 12 months, a total of 300kg of cannabis products have been sold to participants in Zurich through 21 pharmacies, social clubs and drug information centres across the city. 88 per cent of participants said they were satisfied with the quality of the products on offer. However, some respondents expressed a desire for a larger selection and more variety. To meet this need, the introduction of four new flower products is planned for the second year of sales, meaning there will be 13 cannabis products to choose from.
More than half of the study participants reported consuming cannabis at least four times a week. Although many participants consume regularly, the majority are in good health according to data collected as part of the pilot scheme.
The employees at the sales outlets have been able to build relationships with participants, which allows them to dispense personalised harm-reduction advice about lower-risk forms of consumption. 90 per cent of the participants rate the sales staff at the outlets as competent and many use the free advice from the sales staff and study doctors to think about their cannabis consumption. “The individual advice on harm reduction and health promotion is particularly important. We are pleased that the free advice has been so well received,” said project manager Barbara Burri.
“Our approach focuses on the health of consumers and shows that modern prevention work can go hand in hand with controlled access to cannabis products,” said City Councillor Andreas Hauri, Head of the Health and Environment Department of the City of Zurich. “We are pleased that the project has been so well received and will provide valuable insights for future drug policy.”
The Zurich pilot program is set to run until October 2026 and is part of a wider series of pilot schemes taking part in a number of Swiss cities and cantons.
