Zurich launches its legal cannabis pilot project

The pilot project for the legal distribution of cannabis was launched in Zurich on Tuesday. As part of the Züri Can - Cannabis with Responsibility, 1,200 selected participants can now buy controlled cannabis products.

The study will last 3 years and aims to understand how the sale of cannabis products under regulated conditions affects participants' consumption and health.

For the time being, cannabis products will be available in 9 pharmacies and 6 Social Clubs. They can be consumed in private premises or in one of the Social Clubs, which are run by individuals or associations.

2 producers supply products to the Zurich experiment: Pure Production and Swissextract. Pure Production is currently offering two hashes, Sour Pollen and Lemon Resin, as part of the study.

«Today marks the start of sales of cannabis products for the pilot project. Züri Can - Cannabis with Responsibility« Pure Production posted on Instagram. «As proud partners, we are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative. Pure Production AG is honored to provide two distinct hash products and, in the near future, flower offerings, continuing our commitment to excellence and quality.»

On the Swissextract website, the company describes its cannabis cultivation, which includes 2,500 plants grown in a greenhouse of 1,000 m².

«Three cannabis varieties with ideal cannabinoid and terpene profiles were selected for the study: one with a maximum THC content of 20 %, one with a medium content of 12-13 % and one with a very balanced content of 10 % THC and 10 % CBD,» writes Swissextract. Varieties include Cairo Dessert (Fruit Tartar x Sinai), Apricot Mimosa (Mimosa x Purple Apricot) and Wedding Cake (Triangle Kush x Animal Mints).

According to the Zurich study's website, new products, including Pure Production's Jurassic Gold and Grand Marais concentrates, and Swissextract's Super Lemon Haze and Sour Diesel strains, will be available after autumn 2023.

Eventually, the Zurich pilot project is set to become the largest in Switzerland, with over 2,100 participants and 21 outlets: pharmacies, Social Clubs and a drug information center. Each outlet is authorized to welcome between 50 and 150 participants.

Study participants are 80 % male, aged 18 to 80.

As with the Basel project, Swiss company Vigia AG is supplying the cannabis dispensing system, developed in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), which will enable reliable documentation of product dispensing. This software suite offers complete traceability of cannabis products. This gives the FOPH a precise view of the cannabis in circulation, providing the basis for in-depth scientific research. This data is also used to prepare reports for the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board.

Five Swiss cities (Berne, Lausanne, Basel, Zurich and Geneva) have authorized the introduction of regulated cannabis sales experiments. In Basel, the cannabis sales have begun. Sales are also expected to start in Lausanne in September. Berne to follow in October, then Geneva.