Nothing works without a concession: sale to consumers

Sales are regulated by the cantons. They may carry them out themselves or award concessions. This means that the number of sales outlets can be kept small. There will probably be different cantonal variants (more restrictive and more generous).

Now comes the bottleneck: while all those who meet the regulations are allowed to cultivate and produce, the sale can remain prohibited even if all regulations are met if a canton does not want this. The canton does not have to justify itself, so it is a case of arbitrariness.

Sales are only possible on site for cantonally licensed sales outlets. A maximum of 5g THC per sale may be sold over the counter. Customers must be advised and assessed: Is clarification recommended if necessary? A reference to an appointment at an addiction counseling center? Only time will tell exactly how meticulous or relaxed this will be. It could be that in certain cantons only specialist addiction centers are licensed. These could decide to offer only a limited range (e.g. no products with more than 10 % THC). Other cantons could license companies, but these would also have to comply with the numerous regulations on sales (no profit orientation; much more is formulated in the ordinances).

The whole thing has nothing to do with “Hanflädeli”, where committed consumers sell, consume and test the products themselves. That would be possible, but it seems unlikely at the moment.

Who buys does not necessarily have to be recorded by the points of sale. However, such “details” only come to light when a company formulates an application for a license (where it must state how it intends to ensure “early detection and early intervention” – by means of registration?).

In addition to the sales outlets, there can (but does not have to be) an online retailer. However, this is licensed by the federal government. Customers must be registered here and home delivery is also permitted.