In Switzerland, cannabis with a high CBD content sold as a substitute for tobacco

A Swiss organic farming company has succeeded in marketing cannabis flowers with high doses of CBD by limiting their THC content and registering their product as a tobacco substitute. The Fedora variety, cultivated by Bio Can, has a CBD content of 7.2% for 0.04% THC, making this herb compliant with both the Swiss Narcotics Law and food regulations.

CBD flowers had already been registered with the Federal Health Office as a tobacco substitute, alongside sage and passion flower. No special authorization was therefore required, according to Bio Can, due to its extremely low THC content. The flowers are sold at €23 (25 Swiss francs) per 10 grams.

«Our product contains all the active ingredients of cannabis, including calming effects of cannabidiol, without being intoxicating,» Bio Can director Dario Tobler told the Swiss media.

The subject attracted the attention of the Zurich police, not least because the CBD-rich flowers resemble any variety of cannabis. Swiss law prohibits public consumption of cannabis or possession of more than 10 grams, on pain of a €90 fine (100 Swiss francs). One wonders then how the police will tell the difference between a CBD and a THC joint.

For the time being, in fact, the Swiss authorities are planning to punish cannabis users as usual. They will have to contest the fine. The cannabis will then be analyzed, and if it contains less than 1% THC, the «cannabis light» will be returned to its owner, and the fine cancelled. Otherwise, the consumer will have to reimburse the cost of the cannabis analysis, in addition to the fine.

As Switzerland is not part of Europe, sales of Fedora will be limited to Switzerland. The limit of THC of 1% is indeed more generous than other countries, which restrict to 0.3%, and 0.2% for France. Hemp flowers are also freely available in France, although you won't find them at your local Carrefour. Some exhibitors were present at Expogrow 2016.

Switzerland is taking a close look at the legalization of cannabis, in particular with the implementation of 5 pilot projects in the country's 5 largest cities.