Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Controlled cannabis sale in Zurich greenlighted

pharmacist presenting glass with cannabis to consumer
More than 200,000 people in Switzerland light up on a regular basis according to the health authorities. © Keystone / Georgios Kefalas

The Swiss health authorities have paved the way for a trial with cannabis in the city of Zurich later this year.

The Zurich city government and the Zurich University Hospital said on Wednesday that the Federal Office of Public Health approved the conditions for the organic production of two separate strains of cannabis.

The project, Zuri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility, is intended to study the impact of regulated cannabis supply on the consumption and health of consumers.

The project was delayed last October following objections by the health office.

Control groups 

The sale of cannabis products from pharmacies and social clubs to control groups is now due to begin next August.

A maximum of 2,100 participants can take part in the large-scale pilot project in Switzerland’s biggest city.

A first trial with about 400 participants was launched in the city of Basel last year, following a legal amendment by the Swiss parliament in 2020 allowing for trials to study the impact of the use of cannabis for recreational use.

+ Read about the economic impact of cannabis legalisation in Switzerland

More

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

UNRWA provides emergency assistance to just over one million Palestine refugees, or about 75 per cent of all Palestine refugees in Gaza, who lack the financial means to cover their basic food.

More

Lazzarini: no alternative to UNRWA in Gaza

This content was published on The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.

Read more: Lazzarini: no alternative to UNRWA in Gaza
Antibiotic use on the rise again in Switzerland

More

Rise in use of antibiotics in Switzerland

This content was published on The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.

Read more: Rise in use of antibiotics in Switzerland
Bolton: "Switzerland must join NATO, neutrality with no future"

More

John Bolton insists Switzerland should join NATO

This content was published on Switzerland should join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.

Read more: John Bolton insists Switzerland should join NATO
Russian opponents demonstrate in Geneva against the Putin regime

More

Russian Putin critics demonstrate in Switzerland

This content was published on A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the UN building.

Read more: Russian Putin critics demonstrate in Switzerland

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR