Adult-use · 16 October 2025 · 5 min read

Switzerland: Adult-Use Cannabis Market Overview 2025

Switzerland began its first adult-use pilot sales in 2023 and now operates seven active projects , allowing enrolled participants to legally purchase cannabis under controlled conditions.

Market Overview

Switzerland began its first adult-use pilot sales in 2023 and now operates seven active projects, allowing enrolled participants to legally purchase cannabis under controlled conditions. Early findings indicate efficient operations, no notable public-order issues, and positive health-system integration signals.

Aggregate 2025 pilot sales are estimated at €XXX (refer to Prohibition Partners’ market sizing). In parallel, Switzerland advanced toward full commercial legalisation in 2025, positioning the country to potentially launch Europe’s first nationwide adult-use market in 2026.

Legislative Track to Full Legalisation (2025 → 2026)

Process & Timing: An explanatory report precedes a summer consultation; if passed, implementation is expected in 2026—creating Europe’s first fully commercial adult-use regime.

February 2025: The National Council’s Social Security & Health Committee backed a preliminary draft bill to legalise adult-use cannabis, permitting adults to grow, buy, possess, and consume.

Model: State-monopoly retail via a limited number of licensed outlets; THC-based taxation differentiated by form of consumption; revenues earmarked for redistribution via health insurance.

Home Grow: Up to three female plants per adult. Possession thresholds to be finalised.

Cantonal Role: Cantons retain significant oversight on implementation.

Pilot Projects Framework (since 2021)

Legal basis enables scientific pilot trials to assess impacts of regulated sales on consumer behaviour, public health, youth protection, illicit markets, and public safety.
Seven trials active; up to 5,000 participants per trial; ~10,000 active buyers across projects.
Purchase caps: 10 g THC/month (equivalent to 50–100 g flower, depending on potency).
All trials run by public institutions (universities, research institutes, municipalities, foundations).

Pilot Projects: Profiles, Products, Interim Results

Weed Care(Basel-Stadt)

Max participants: 378 | Active: 299 (Mar 2025)
Sales start: 30 Jan 2023 | End: Jan 2027
Organisers: Health Dept. Basel-Stadt; UPK Basel; PD-AG; University of Basel
Focus: Compare pharmacy-based regulated sales vs illegal sourcing; extension assesses outcome changes when legal access ceases.

Products & Prices (producer: Pure Holding AG)

Interim Results (Mar 2025)

87 kg sold; ~CHF 900k shifted from illicit market.
⅓ of purchases <13% THC; no increase in purchase volume or consumption.
89% join to support regulation; 84% value higher product quality; 79% cite safer access.

Züri Can (Zürich)

Max: 3,000 | Active: 2,232 (Apr 2025)
Sales start: 22 Aug 2023 | End: Oct 2026
Organisers: City & University of Zürich
Focus: Health and consumption effects; multi-channel distribution (10 pharmacies, 10 cannabis social clubs, 1 Drug Info Centre).

Products & Prices (Pure Production AG; SwissExtract)

Interim Results (Apr 2025)

~150 dropouts (survey lapses/cessation of use).
Demographics: 80% male; 18.7% female; 1.3% non-binary; avg age ~35 (largest 28–32 y/o cohort).
Use frequency: 55.8% ≥4×/week; 28.3% 2–3×/week.
High satisfaction with product quality and prevention/counselling materials.

Grashaus Projects (Basel-Landschaft)

Max: 3,950 | Active: >1,000 (Aug 2024)
Sales start: 7 Dec 2023 | End: Oct 2028
Organisers: ISGF; Sanity Group Switzerland AG
Focus: Specialty-store sales with trained staff; measure harm reduction and shift from illicit market.

Products & Prices (SwissExtract; 5-g packs)

Interim Results (12-month)

~⅔ of participants purchase almost exclusively in licensed stores (reduced illicit reliance).
Shift toward lower-risk forms (edibles, oral solutions, vapes).
Low dropout; high satisfaction and research motivation.

Cann-L (Lausanne)

Max: 1,600 | Active: 1,396 (Mar 2025)
Sales start: 11 Dec 2023 | End: Summer 2027
Organisers: City of Lausanne; Addiction Suisse
Focus: Non-profit retail model; strong advice & health objectives.

Products & Prices (secret 10,000 m² site; flowers)

Year-1 Results (Dec 2024)

>10 kg sold in Nov 2024 (~15% of Lausanne’s monthly consumption; ~CHF 1m equivalent).
Participants: 18–80 y/o (avg 37); 77% male; 67% employed.
Stable consumption; >25% of flower sales <10% THC; 38 participants sought medical advice.

La Cannabinothèque (Vernier, Geneva)

Max: 1,200 | Active: 1,100 (Dec 2024)
Sales start: 11 Dec 2023 | End: Jun 2027
Organisers: University of Geneva (IRS); HUG; Association ChanGE; Municipality of Vernier; FEGPAC
Focus: Effects of regulated access on knowledge, risk reduction, and neighbourhood impact.

Products & Prices

Range of flowers, one hash, one oil; CHF 9–12/g (3-g packs); varied THC/CBD.
Cultivated at a 10,000 m² greenhouse (French-speaking region).

Year-1 Findings (Dec 2024)

Participants 18–80 y/o; ~80% male.
⅓ under 30; ½ between 30–50; 20% over 50.
Unexpectedly high demand for low-THC products (min 4% offered).

SCRIPT (Bern, Biel & Lucerne)

Max: 1,091 | Active: 1,091 (Mar 2025)
Sales start: Apr 2024 (Bern); Jun 2024 (Biel & Lucerne) | End: Apr 2026
Organisers: University of Bern (BIHAM, CTU, ISPM, UPD); University of Lucerne (Zentrum für Hausarztmedizin und Community Care)
Funders: SNSF; Tobacco Control Fund; cities
Focus: Effects of pharmacy-based sales on consumption & health; tobacco co-use.

Products (Pure Production AG)

Four flowers; two hash; two tincture sprays; two e-liquids (prices undisclosed; proceeds cost-cover the experiment).

Early Snapshot

Bern registrations: ~80% men; 18% women; 2% non-binary.

Cannabis Research Zürich (Canton of Zürich)

Max: 7,500 (A 2,500 / B 2,500 / C 2,500 no-access control) | Active: 3,900 (Dec 2024)
Sales start: 2 May 2024 | End: Dec 2028
Organisers: ETH Zürich (KOF); University of Zürich (Economics) | Funder: Swiss Cannabis Research Association
Focus: RCT on social & economic impacts; self-regulation programme; sales via 3 specialty stores + 8 pharmacies.

Products & Prices (SwissExtract; Alpina Pharma; Charlie’s Lab)

Results: Limited public data to date; interim analyses pending.

Pipeline Projects (Ticino & Others)

Multiple applications reportedly under review by the FOPH; two confirmed submissions in Ticino (incl. “Cannabis in Ticino” with University of St. Gallen & Areté Solutions).
March 2025: Ticino Grand Council declined to take supportive action; however, cantonal opposition does not automatically block FOPH approval. Federal decisions are pending.

Market Outlook

Switzerland’s pilot programme is generating robust, multi-site evidence on regulated access, with early signals of illicit-market displacement, demand for lower-THC options, and no measurable escalation in consumption among participants.

With pre-legislative approval secured and consultations scheduled, Switzerland is on a credible path to launch a national, state-monopoly retail model in 2026, likely becoming Europe’s first fully commercial adult-use market. Results from the pilots will directly inform product standards, retail design, taxation, and public-health safeguards in the final law.

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