Swiss Citizens Legally Purchased 300 Kilograms of Marijuana and Hashish in One Year
The authorities of Zurich, Switzerland, together with staff from the University of Zurich and the University Psychiatric Hospital Zurich, have released interim results from the Z�ri Can cannabis experiment. Over the course of one year, Swiss citizens legally purchased 300 kilograms of marijuana and hashish.
About the Z�ri Can Cannabis Experiment
The legal cannabis supply chain trial began in Zurich in September 2023. According to rules approved by the Ministry of Health, only adults with prior cannabis experience can participate. In the first year, officials received about 2,290 applications for ID cards that allow the purchase, possession, and use of cannabinoid products. Authorities rejected 2% of applicants for medical reasons, and currently, the maximum allowed number of volunteers-2,100 people-are participating. Around 150 volunteers either withdrew from the experiment or were excluded for refusing to complete surveys.
Over 12 months, the volume of legally produced marijuana and hashish sold reached 300 kilograms. Participants made about 36,000 purchases, averaging 8.3 grams of cannabis products per transaction. Producers are also expanding their product range. Initially, two types of hashish and marijuana from five cannabis strains were available. In the second half of 2024, companies will introduce marijuana from four new strains, bringing the total number of cannabis products to 13.
Positive Results and Future Plans
The cannabis sales trial is considered a success. Until October 2026, when Z�ri Can is scheduled to end, marijuana and hashish will continue to be sold to authorized participants in pharmacies, social clubs, and drug information centers. The Zurich government has no plans to end the experiment early, as the results are viewed positively.
Andreas Hauri, head of Zurich’s Department of Health and Environment, stated that data analysis confirms the effectiveness of the regulated cannabis sales system in reducing harm from cannabis misuse. His conclusions are based on the following findings:
- 90% of volunteers are satisfied with the quality of service and professionalism of cannabis sales staff.
- 88% are satisfied with the quality of marijuana and hashish.
- The majority of participants report feeling well while regularly using cannabinoid products.
One of the main goals of the experiment is to determine the long-term health effects of smoking marijuana and hashish. Over the year, no serious health issues were recorded among participants who used cannabis at least four times a week-about half of all volunteers. At this stage, concerns from skeptics who support continuing the war on marijuana have not been justified.