Switzerland Approves Study Examining Effects of Controlled Purchases of Cannabis

Published on: March 27, 2023

The study will examine consumption and health of the participants after purchasing selected cannabis products from controlled cultivation under regulated conditions.

On March 21, 2023, the study titled “Züri Can–Cannabis with responsibility,” created by the City of Zurich and the University of Zurich, met approval and opened its registration process, after being postponed in 2022. “The study examines the effects of purchasing selected cannabis products from controlled cultivation under regulated conditions on the consumption and health of the participants,” read the study, translated from German (1). “In addition, different models of regulated cannabis procurement are to be compared with one another.”

The sale of cannabis products for the study will begin at the preestablished supply points after the summer holidays, and only organic and local products will be permitted (1). Currently, cannabis products containing less than 1% THC are permitted in Switzerland under limited instances (2).

“As a study participant, you will contribute to research into a possible regulation of cannabis consumption in Switzerland,” read the consent form in part, translated from German (3). “If you meet the eligibility requirements below and are included in the study, you can legally purchase cannabis for personal use for three years under regulated conditions. As a study participant, you must fill out a scientific online questionnaire at regular intervals.”

Scientific, approved pilot trials of controlled sales of cannabis for recreational purposes were first allowed in 2021 (4). Future studies with public and university sponsors are planned for several more cities in Switzerland (1).

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