Basel, Switzerland--Switzerland, known for its pioneering efforts in prescription heroin and safe injection sites, is currently trialing the decriminalization of recreational cannabis in select Basel pharmacies.
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The two-year pilot program allows participants to acquire cannabis over the counter legally. Lucas Meister, a pharmacist participating in the pilot, stated in a report that people are happy to buy cannabis legally for the first time.
Nine pharmacies in Basel have been chosen for the legal sale of recreational cannabis, with 400 participants selected from thousands of applicants. Cannabis is already legal for medical use in Switzerland but only for extreme cases such as cancer patient pain relief.
Low-potency cannabis can be legally purchased for non-medical use if it contains below one percent THC. While more potent cannabis is illegal, carrying up to 10 grams for personal consumption is not legally punishable.
Support for cannabis legalization has increased, with 70% of the population favoring liberalizing laws in 2021, up from 58% in 2018. The Swiss government has opted for a gradual approach, authorizing trials over the coming decade. The Basel trial aims to study the effects of regulated cannabis sales on mental health and consumption behavior.
Participating pharmacies offer cannabis products with THC levels ranging from 4.5% to 20%, priced between 8 and 12 Swiss francs ($8.70-$13) per gram.
Major Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne plan to launch similar trials.
Learn more in this report.