The first legal cannabis outlet opens in Lausanne on Monday

The first legal cannabis point of sale opens next Monday in Lausanne. Following adoption of federal legislation on pilot testing of cannabis sales in 2021, the city of Lausanne has authorized the Cann-L project to experiment with cannabis sales in order to monitor the dynamics of the black market and assess the impact on consumer behavior.

Reducing risks

At first glance, the Cann-L store in Lausanne is far from what you'd expect from a cannabis dispensary. The store boasts a «sober facade and uncluttered interior» that intentionally avoids promoting its products.

Frank Zobel, deputy director of Addiction Switzerland, stresses that the aim is not to incite consumption, but rather to offer consumers a judicious choice. The store will offer three-gram sachets of weed named Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, ranging in THC content from less than 5% to more than 15%. Cannabis resin will soon be added to the product range.

Mr. Zobel explains the reason for this product selection: «On the black market, people buy what they can find. These are often very powerful products, but less powerful products may be just what they need.

All products sold in the store come from a production site in the canton of Vaud, and are grown organically. It is planned to extend production to other sites according to demand. The exact cultivation site remains confidential for security reasons.

At Cann-L, recreational cannabis will sell for between nine and twelve Swiss francs a gram, depending on THC content. These prices are in line with those charged on the black market, hoping to encourage consumers to opt for the legal, regulated alternative.

To avoid excessive consumption, participants in the Cann-L project may only buy 10 grams of cannabis at a time, and may not consume more than 10 grams of pure THC per month, i.e. 50 grams of cannabis at 20% THC.

Customer experience and interaction

The Cann-L store has been designed as an immersive, educational space. A team of seven specially trained staff will assist customers. The store features an informal discussion area where customers can engage in conversations about cannabis. Selected brochures, provided by Addiction Suisse, will contribute to the educational aspect of the experience, ensuring that consumers have access to accurate and relevant information.

The average age of the first 250 registrants is between 35 and 37, and 80 % of them are men. They consume cannabis almost every day. To facilitate transactions, participants will receive personal cards that not only enable them to purchase cannabis, but also serve as proof of possession in the event of a police check.

The scientific study behind the Cann-L project will aim to assess the impact of non-profit cannabis sales on consumer behavior. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire every six months to gather valuable data and understand the evolution of cannabis consumption in a regulated market.