Why it matters:
The Swiss government has approved a three-year pilot programme to legalise the possession and consumption of cannabis in Zurich. The study, which will begin sales in August, will allow a test group of up to 2,100 Zurich residents to buy regulated doses of cannabis for personal use from pharmacies, social clubs, and special dispensaries. Researchers will be assessing the social and economic impacts of legalising cannabis.
What they are saying:
“The idea is to get robust real-world evidence that serves policy-making for new [national] regulation on cannabis,” said Barbara Burri, a project manager at Zurich’s municipal health department.
The big picture:
The Swiss study is part of a wave of legalisation efforts sweeping Europe, as countries like Malta and the Netherlands have launched their own trial programmes, and Belgium and Luxembourg have proposed plans to allow cultivation for personal use. Besides, Germany and the Czech Republic have also signalled plans to legalise cannabis for adult use.
What to watch:
Data collected from this study by Zurich, the country’s most populous city, would be released on a rolling basis beginning next year. The researchers conducting the study will also assess the illicit cannabis market in Zurich, with its research focusing on maintaining public health, ensuring public safety, and protecting young people from the risks of cannabis use.
Give your take:
The pilot programme could be seen as a forward-thinking plan to generate data towards potential national regulations on cannabis. If the pilot proves to be successful, we could see other Swiss towns and cities adopt similar policies. Besides, it’s worth monitoring how other European countries renew their cannabis regulations, especially as the market there is at the early stages of expansions.
