Cannabis in Switzerland

Switzerland has no general legal market for recreational cannabis, but it has three legal channels that are unusual in Europe: low-THC hemp and CBD products, medical cannabis on a doctor's prescription, and scientific pilot trials in which enrolled adults can buy cannabis legally in several cities. Knowing which channel applies to you answers most questions about whether weed is legal in Switzerland.

The dividing line is 1 percent THC. Hemp and CBD products below that level fall outside the Narcotics Act and are regulated as food, cosmetics or tobacco substitutes depending on the product, which is why CBD shops and CBD flower are common. Cannabis at or above 1 percent THC remains a controlled narcotic. For adults, possessing up to 10 grams for personal use is not punished, while using cannabis brings a fixed fine of CHF 100 when the person is an adult carrying less than 10 grams. Growing THC cannabis for yourself is still an offense. On the road, a THC level of 1.5 micrograms per liter of blood or more counts as unfit to drive and leads to a fine or prison and at least a three-month licence withdrawal.

Medical cannabis became easier to access on August 1, 2022. Since then doctors can prescribe cannabis medicines without an exceptional authorisation from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), and cultivation, manufacture and trade fall under Swissmedic's licensing and control. Specialist pharmacies prepare and dispense the prescriptions.

The pilot trials rest on Article 8a of the Narcotics Act, in force since May 15, 2021 and limited to ten years. The FOPH lists authorised trials in the city of Zurich (Züri Can), the canton of Zurich, Basel-Stadt (WeedCare), Basel-Landschaft (Grashaus Projects), Bern, Biel and Lucerne (SCRIPT), Lausanne (Cann-L), Geneva (La Cannabinothèque) and St. Gallen (CanLeg). Each sells only to enrolled adults who already use cannabis and live in the trial area, through pharmacies, non-profit social clubs, specialist shops or a municipal outlet. Participants can take part in only one trial. Some trials are full or closed to new participants, while Züri Can, Cann-L and Grashaus were still recruiting in 2026.

A national law is being prepared. Following a parliamentary initiative (20.473), the National Council's health committee drafted a Federal Act on Cannabis Products in February 2025 for strictly regulated adult access. The consultation results were published on May 8, 2026, and the committee sent the draft back for revision; the process is expected to take years. This page reflects the rules as reported in September 2026 and is not legal advice.