Pilot projects: Findings on legal procurement

We have been running the “Hanfstübli” cannabis social club in Zurich for over a year now. In this article, we describe how such cannabis pilot studies in Switzerland work in principle, how they are organized in practice and share our initial findings.

The experimental article, which was added to NarcA a few years ago, makes it possible to carry out pilot studies with cannabis until 2031. Participants are given access to clean cannabis in exchange for detailed and regular data on their physical and mental health and consumption habits. Participants can obtain between 50 and 150 grams per month (depending on the strain), and the products are legally limited to a THC content of 20%.

Basel was the first Swiss city to launch a pilot project, and additional studies are currently underway in Zurich (city and canton), Basel-Land, Lausanne, Bern, Biel, Lucerne and Geneva. We are aware of several other planned projects that are currently in preparation.

Every scientific study has to answer a research question, as do the various cannabis studies. Basically, the aim of all studies is to observe how consumption changes when legal access is made available. However, the individual studies have a specific focus. For example, the city of Zurich is researching whether information on low-risk consumption is better received when there is direct access to users.

In addition to the research question, other findings will also emerge, such as whether the various reference points (pharmacies, DIZ and self-organized social clubs) are accepted and function differently by the participants.

The results of the studies will then allow policymakers to develop evidence-based (scientifically proven) regulation, see(Current political events.

The admission process, illustrated here using the “Züri Can” study as an example, is lengthy and typically takes several weeks. Once interested parties have decided on one of the 21 reference points, they arrange a personal appointment. The study is explained, a declaration of consent is signed and a questionnaire is completed to ensure that there are no illnesses that would make participation in the study impossible (e.g. cardiovascular diseases). A positive THC urine test is then required to ensure that the study does not encourage non-users to smoke weed.

Afterwards, you have to go to the Municipal Health Services (SGD), which is responsible for the cannabis study at the city, with confirmation of residence and ID. There, the city issues a study ID card - with a photo, hologram and QR code. Only after the ID card has arrived at the supply point can it sell legally, as every 5 gram pack sold must be precisely documented in the nationwide Track & Trace system, which was developed on behalf of the FOPH.

In some projects, there are only a few varieties, often from just one supplier. In the “Züri Can” project, we are very fortunate to have now increased the number of varieties to 13, which are supplied by two different producers (SwissExtract and Pure).

In addition to three hashish varieties, there are mainly flower varieties to choose from, which cover the entire spectrum with low (5 %), medium (10-15 %) and high THC levels (20 %). In other projects, there are also edibles, vape pens and oils. We reported on our range in detail in LI102.

It is particularly nice that, in contrast to the black market, we can create a lot of transparency in this project. We not only allow participants to view the genetics and dominant terpenes of each strain, but also provide detailed laboratory reports. These quantify the individual active ingredients (THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, etc.) of each batch and prove that it is free of harmful substances.

The legal 20% limit is too low for hashish, which is often much more potent on the black market. Participants would like to take a month's supply with them instead of coming by on different days for just 10 grams. There are big differences between the products of the various producers, but organic outdoor cultivation in Switzerland works really well and is in no way inferior to indoor cultivation (on the contrary!).

The large amount of bureaucracy (many conditions and steps) and a general mistrust of the city and the federal government deter many interested parties from participating. Participants primarily choose products with a high THC content, but how pronounced and intense the flash is depends primarily on the strain, not just the THC content. Building a social club is intensive. Such projects are still stigmatized in our society, even if they are legal.

Anyone interested in taking part: We still have about 10 places available! More on hanfstueb.li.