A Process Gathers Momentum
It comes as no surprise that Switzerland is following its own path. For several years now, pilot projects in cities such as Basel, Zurich and Lausanne have tested the controlled distribution of cannabis for recreational use. These scientifically monitored programs provide valuable data on consumption patterns, public health and the displacement of the black market. The new legislative draft builds directly on these findings. Unlike recreational cannabis, medical cannabis in Switzerland has already been regulated since 2022 and is dispensed via medical prescriptions through pharmacies.
The Proposed Market Model
The preliminary draft of the Cannabis Products Act sets out a series of strict rules. Adults will be permitted to purchase, possess and consume cannabis legally, but only through tightly regulated, licensed outlets. Distribution may not be profit-oriented. Advertising will be banned, packaging must be neutral and child-resistant, and an electronic tracking system will ensure transparency across the entire supply chain. In addition, a steering levy will make high-THC products more expensive, with the aim of encouraging consumption of lower-risk alternatives.
A Look at the Neighbors
In a European comparison, Switzerland is charting a very distinct course. In Germany’s Cannabis Consumption Act (KCanG), the focus is on cannabis clubs or so-called cultivation associations, complemented by the option of home cultivation. Possession has also been decriminalized by removing cannabis from the Narcotics Act. Switzerland, on the other hand, intends to continue classifying cannabis as a narcotic and to restrict sales exclusively to licensed outlets. A particular feature is the so-called online license: the federal government plans to grant only a single concession for digital sales. This would allow consumers to order cannabis products directly through a central, federally licensed online shop — in addition to purchases from local, licensed stores.
From Consultation to Law
The road to full legalization is still long. After the consultation period, parliamentary deliberations will follow, and in the end, a referendum could be held. Realistically, implementation is not expected for another two to three years. What is clear already, however, is that Switzerland aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework built on the experience of its pilot projects — a nationwide structure ensuring legal access to recreational cannabis. With this model, Switzerland could set benchmarks across Europe.