Switzerland is no longer simply known for its
luxurious ski resorts, Swiss chocolates and high
flying financial institutions.
The host nation of political summits has fully embraced CBD
since the Swiss government relaxed cannabis restrictions
in 2011. Even supermarket chain Lidl stocks locally-grown
cannabis on its shelves.
As CBD is non-psychoactive, it is not controlled under
the nation’s Narcotics Act. The Swiss have adopted what
many would argue to be a very reasonable THC cap of
one percent for raw cannabis buds.
This limit has helped facilitate a booming hemp flower
industry. Companies sell high-CBD strains containing
varying levels of THC, many exporting < 0.2 percent
buds to customers in neighbouring EU. It’s important to
note that the EU THC limit actually applies to industrial
hemp, not unprocessed cannabis buds.
CBD flowers are classed as a tobacco substitute in
Switzerland and are subject to the taxes and restrictions
in place for such products. CBD cigarettes and cigarillos
are a common site in the nation’s shops, kiosks and
tobacconists.
Public consumption or possession of up to 10 grams of
cannabis is subject to a 100 Franc fine. But it is almost
impossible for the layman — or even seasoned users — to
distinguish between high and low-THC strains on odour
and appearance alone, so enforcement of the law is patchy.
There is a wide variety of other CBD products available
on the market, each corresponding to the relevant Swiss
regulation. CBD cannot be used in cosmetic products unless
it is derived from seeds or leaves not mixed or derived from
the ‘flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant’, eg
buds. CBD-enriched foods and supplements are classed as
novel foods and therefore require authorisation. Scented
CBD oils can be sold legally under the Chemicals Act unless
their use could be controlled under other provisions, such
as the Foodstuffs Act. E-liquids fall under the category
as “articles that come into contact with the oral mucosa
when used correctly or in the normally expected manner
may only release substances in quantities that pose no
risk to health.”
Switzerland adopts a similar approach to the EU when it
comes to the medicinal use of CBD. Products containing
CBD that are intended to be used as medicines cannot
be placed on the market without the relevant licence.
Sativex THC and CBD spray are available on prescription
from specialist doctors.
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Trending
The CBD circuit and proximity of Switzerland to the 28 EU-
member states appears to be attracting North American
companies eager to make their mark in the up-and-coming
European market. Vancouver based biopharmaceutical
company Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently announced
plans to distribute Pivot Naturals one percent oral CBD
solution in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the UK.
Meanwhile, Forbes added Switzerland to its watchlist
of the most overlooked marijuana markets in the world.
According to Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, in 2017
there were 410 registered CBD companies in Switzerland
with a combined total of sales of approximately $62 million
(approximately £50 million).