Record consumption of cannabis light in Switzerland

Since 2016, the "light" cannabis, High in CBD and containing less than 1% of THC, it is sold in Switzerland, where it is considered a tobacco substitute. Available data show that its consumption is skyrocketing, but the industry is also facing problems with overproduction.

A booming industry

In Switzerland, the cannabis light is available just about everywhere, from specialty stores to grocery stores and supermarkets. According to figures from the Federal Public Health Office reported by SonntagsZeitung, tax revenue generated by this industry rose from 400,000 Swiss francs three years ago to 15.1 million Swiss francs (or 13.5 million euros) last year. These figures show that more than six metric tons of CBD flowers were taxed and, by extension, consumed. This is a record.

According to a poll by Sucht Schweiz, Out of 1,500 users, the majority of flower users are young cannabis users looking to reduce their THC intake. However, in other forms, CBD is also very popular among seniors. «Today’s consumers rate the effects of CBD very positively, particularly in terms of sleep, stress, and overall well-being,» the survey’s authors write.

According to the organization Addiction Switzerland, 80% of consumers buy CBD in the form of flowers. That said, it has also become a common ingredient in everyday consumer products. «Our main customers are pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies,» explains Patrick Widmer, co-founder of Medropharm, a company that grows Swiss hemp. «We’ve increased our production area tenfold this year,» he adds.

This boom in consumption has led to a significant increase in the amount of farmland dedicated to hemp cultivation. Since 2015, that area has increased sixfold. In January 2017, there were only five producers in Bern. Today, there are 672. This increase in production appears to have outpaced the growth in consumption, causing prices to plummet: CBD currently sells for around 1,500 francs per kilogram, down from nearly 6,000 in 2017.

As for cannabis with THC levels exceeding 1%, possession of small amounts has been decriminalized since 2013. For amounts under 10 grams, possession of cannabis results in only a fine of 100 Swiss francs. For some time now, the government has been considering implementing pilot studies to legalize recreational cannabis in certain cities across the country, but the bill has stalled.