Switzerland’s Cannabis Pilot Programme Reveals Its First Findings

What is Switzerland's Cannabis Pilot Programme?

Years ago, Switzerland turned its drug policy around by regulating medical cannabis, which is now legally prescribed for the treatment of various illnesses.

This step laid the groundwork for the current pilot study on cannabis for recreational use - a programme that began six months ago and aims to analyse the impact of the legal sale of recreational cannabis.

The study is being conducted in various cities across the country, including Basel, Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne, where participants have been authorised to purchase cannabis from specific pharmacies.

These measures aim to eradicate (or at least significantly reduce) the black market, and provide greater safety for users. The Swiss legal framework allows for the development of this study under strict conditions:

• Cannabis products must be of high quality.
• Users must be properly informed about the products they are consuming.
• Study participants must be a representative sample of the adult cannabis-consuming population, and should include diversity in age, gender, and socioeconomic resources. This way, Swiss authorities can ensure that the data extracted from the study is reliable. Additionally, participants are subject to ongoing medical evaluations to ensure that their participation in the programme doesn't pose significant health risks.

Over a specified period, the study will collect detailed information on the consumption habits of participants, their preferences regarding the method of consumption (through the products they choose), and the impact on their health.

Initial Findings of Switzerland's Cannabis Pilot Study

After analysing the data collected over these six months, researchers have observed a shift in the preferred method of consumption among the participants in the programme.

Before joining the study, the selected individuals opted for combustion as their preferred method of consuming cannabis. Although this format has traditionally been the most widespread, it carries greater health risks due to the carcinogens present in the inhaled smoke.

According to the initial conclusions, participants have shown a clear tendency towards healthier methods such as edibles or extracts.

This change could be driven by several factors:

• Greater availability of different products: The pilot programme includes a wider variety of formats, including flowers, edibles, and extracts.
• Increased education and awareness for risk reduction: One of the study's premises is to better educate participants about the risks associated with cannabis consumption. This includes detailed information about alternative formats that offer fewer health risks. Additionally, participants are provided with clear and detailed information on the composition of cannabis and its derivatives, as well as the effects that they can expect, which is something that influences their purchasing decisions.
• Higher quality and safety: All cannabis products available within the Swiss pilot programme have been approved under strict quality standards. This includes the organic cultivation of marijuana strains, as well as the correct labelling of the different levels of THC and other cannabinoids contained in each product. The distribution of cannabis or any derived products through the pharmacy network ensures product safety and greater consumer knowledge of what they are purchasing.

What Impact Could These Changes Have on Public Health?

As the cannabis plant emerges from the shadows of illegality, the public receives greater guarantees overall; and, as explained above, healthier consumption methods are sought.

Reducing smoke inhalation could significantly decrease the incidence of respiratory diseases and help to improve the cardiovascular system. It should be noted that the common trend in Europe when smoking cannabis is to mix the flowers with tobacco. This adds the risks associated with smoking whilst also increasing addiction.

Therefore, as demonstrated by this pilot study in Switzerland, regulation can lead to positive benefits to public health.

What Do the Experts Say?

The study for the full legalisation of cannabis in Switzerland follows defined parameters. Participants, who are mostly men (80%) aged between 18 and 76, are authorised to purchase up to 10 grams of pure THC per month.

Several public health experts have stated that the recent findings are promising, since they don't only take into account the risks of cannabis abuse on a physical level, but also the reduction of mental health risks.

Lavinia Baltes, co-leader of the "Weed Care" project and head of the research department at a psychiatric clinic in Aargau, has stated that the focus of this study is to promote consumption methods that pose a lower risk to mental health as well.

Dr Baltes points out that restrictions on sales to minors, limitations on THC levels, and increased information and education about mental health risks, may be key to reducing the side effects of cannabis abuse in relation to mental illness.

Conclusion

The initial data from Switzerland's pilot project is undoubtedly promising. It appears that the country could soon join the growing list of nations opting for the full legalisation of cannabis.

Decades of prohibition have proven ineffective, and it seems that the legalisation of marijuana leads to safer and possibly more moderate consumption.

The incidence of abusive cannabis consumption is influenced by several factors, including the introduction of a substance which hasn't been traditionally used in Western society, the lack of transparent information due to prohibition, and the tendency to increase the THC levels of the different genetics.

Providing safer consumption options and greater public education about the risks and benefits associated with cannabis (and the different consumption methods) could be the key to a fairer and healthier future for society. Regulation is proving effective, though we will still have to wait to see how this legal framework progresses in Switzerland and other countries around the world.