Switzerland legalizes cannabis for medical use, including export

Since the beginning of August, Switzerland has joined the European countries that already allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes through a prescription. Before this law, patients had to make an application to the Federal Office of Public Health, but with the new legislation access becomes easier and the export of cannabis for medicinal purposes is also allowed. For this, companies must acquire an authorization from Swissmedic, the regulatory authority for medicines and medical devices in Switzerland. 

In order to proceed with the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the country, the Swiss Federal Council lifted the ban on cannabis for medicinal purposes, thus amending again the law on narcotics that the parliament had passed in March 2021, reported the Forbes. The new regulation for medicinal purposes followed the growing demand for authorizations in recent years. 

According to SWI swissinfo.ch, the Federal Office of Public Health issued nearly 3.000 permits for patients with cancer, neurological diseases, or multiple sclerosis in 2019. However, this number excluded patients who obtained cannabis from the illegal market.

Until today, the law allowed products containing high levels of CBD and less than 1% THC, which is the established limit for the hemp industry in the country, while cannabis for adult use is still considered illegal. However, Switzerland started a experimental program for adult cannabis use, with the aim of obtaining and providing information to regulate cannabis across the country through the sale of adult cannabis products in Basel to around 400 volunteers. Zurich also already has a pilot program underway.

In June, the University of Geneva published a study which estimated that the economic impact of legalization in Switzerland would generate an annual turnover of around €1,02 billion and create around 4.400 full-time jobs, while another study published by 2020 he estimated that the Swiss cannabis market would be worth up to €514 million. 

In economic terms, legalizing cannabis for medical purposes would benefit the country's numerous CBD companies, as they could export products with a THC level of up to 1%, such as cannabis for medical purposes, making the country competitive on the European continent. . 

According to Forbes, CBD sector has gained popularity in Switzerland in recent years, as it is not subject to the Narcotics Act, as it does not produce any psychoactive effects. However, the Swiss Chemicals Association warned in February that the vast majority of products sold containing CBD do not meet legal requirements, as the amount of THC exceeds legal limits. 

By legalizing cannabis for medical purposes, Switzerland is seeking adequate regulation to allow access to medical treatment with cannabis products and, at the same time, protect the population by containing and combating the illegal cannabis market, which for years has largely supplied patients. with cannabis for medicinal purposes. 

In addition, the trial program for the sale of cannabis for adult use could convince lawmakers to legalize cannabis for adult use in the country. Switzerland has demonstrated a progressive approach in setting its drug policy over the years.  

The legalization of cannabis for medical purposes is therefore the latest step that sets a new trend in Europe with regard to cannabis policy. In recent years, several European countries have shown interest in legalizing cannabis for adult or medicinal use as a new solution to protect public health and combat the illegal market.