Swiss cannabis pilot projects — 2026 overview

Seven Swiss cities — Zurich (Züri Can, 2,100 participants), Bern (SCRIPT, ~1,000), Basel (Weed Care, ~370), Lausanne (Cann-L, launch 2025), Geneva, Lucerne and Winterthur — have been trialling regulated THC cannabis sales since 2022 under Art. 8a of the Narcotics Act. Goal: produce scientifically sound data on how a regulated market affects consumption, black-market share and public health. Interim reports (Weed Care 2024, Züri Can 2025) consistently show: no increase in consumption, 78 % of purchases shifted away from the black market, dramatic reduction in synthetic adulterants, -40 % unit cost at controlled quality. This hub bundles the site map, eligibility (18+, residency 3–6 months, existing consumer, medical screening), prices and products per project, current study figures and the political roadmap through 2031 — including a comparison with Germany's KCanG model and the Maltese CSC framework.

We compare the SCRIPT (Bern), Züri Can (Zurich), Weed Care (Basel-Stadt), Cann-L (Lausanne) and Bern pilot studies by participants, price, THC content, product rotation and accompanying research. Included: inclusion/exclusion criteria plus 2026 waiting-list status.

Definition and context

Pilot projects are scientific studies approved by the BAG under Art. 8b BetmG, providing adult consumers with regulated access to THC cannabis — monitored, restricted, and evaluated.

The situation in Switzerland

Among the most well-known projects are "Züri Can" in Zurich, "Weed Care" in Basel, and the SCRIPT network, which includes Bern and other cities. They share common criteria: residency in the participating municipality, being of legal age, proof of prior consumption, limited dispensing quantities, and a fixed number of participants. They are explicitly not open commercial sales.

What this means in practice

Those who do not live in a participating municipality or do not secure a spot currently have no legal access to THC cannabis outside of a medical prescription. The current status for each canton can be found in our cantonal tracker; prices in the projects typically range from CHF 8 to CHF 15 per gram.

Frequently asked questions

Can I easily participate in a pilot project?

Only if you reside in the respective participating municipality, are at least 18 years old, and can provide proof of prior consumption — and only as long as places are available.

How much does cannabis cost in the pilot projects?

Prices typically range from CHF 8 to CHF 15 per gram, depending on the project and the product.

Do these pilot projects mean legalization?

No. They are time-limited scientific studies designed to provide the groundwork for potential future regulation.

Background and development

The modern regulatory landscape of Swiss cannabis is rooted in the Federal Act on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (BetmG), which historically prohibited cannabis containing over 1% total THC. While industrial hemp and low-THC CBD products flourished under this 1% threshold, high-THC cannabis remained illicit for recreational use. Recognizing the reality of widespread consumption and the failure of absolute prohibition, the Federal Assembly amended the BetmG in 2020, introducing Article 8a. This amendment allowed the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG) to approve strictly regulated, scientifically monitored pilot studies. Meanwhile, Swissmedic continues to oversee medical cannabis, which has been legally prescribable by ordinary physicians since 1 August 2022. Today, these BAG-approved pilot projects bridging the gap between prohibition and formal regulation are generating the empirical data required to shape future national legislation, testing controlled supply chains from Swiss cultivation to point of sale.

Distinctions and misconceptions

Navigating Swiss cannabis regulations requires correcting several common misconceptions. Many assume that the launch of pilot projects in cities like Zurich, Basel, or Bern signals general recreational legalization, but this is false. Outside these scientific trials, recreational cannabis with over 1% THC remains illegal. Possessing up to 10 grams of THC cannabis for personal use is treated as a minor offense that can carry a CHF 100 fixed penalty rather than criminal prosecution. Furthermore, the 1.5 microgram per liter blood THC limit means driving under the influence is strictly prohibited, regardless of trial participation. Another point of confusion is medical cannabis; while medical THC has been available via prescription since 1 August 2022 for patients under Swissmedic guidelines, the municipal pilots are strictly non-medical, scientific studies for established recreational consumers. Finally, these pilots differ from fully commercial markets, focusing on public health monitoring and non-profit distribution.

Decision guide for Switzerland

For an adult in Switzerland looking to obtain THC cannabis legally, the decision path is highly structured. First, determine your primary need. If you require cannabis for therapeutic reasons, consult a physician to seek a medical prescription, a pathway fully legal since August 2022. For recreational purposes, check if your local canton or municipality hosts an active pilot project. If you reside in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, or Geneva, you may qualify for local pilot enrollment by proving adult age, local residency, and pre-existing consumption. Expect controlled, Swiss-grown products priced competitively between CHF 8 and CHF 15 per gram. Avoid purchasing unregulated products from the black market, which risk contamination and legal penalties. Ensure you never drive with a blood THC level exceeding the 1.5 micrograms per liter limit. Joining the CannabisClub.ch community keeps you aligned with these regulations while supporting safer consumption practices.

How does the Swiss pilot project model compare to Germany's KCanG or Malta's framework?

Unlike Germany's KCanG model, which permits home cultivation and social clubs, or Malta's non-profit Cannabis Social Clubs, Switzerland's pilot projects operate strictly as scientific, university-led research studies under Article 8a of the Narcotics Act. Swiss projects sell local, tested cannabis in selected pharmacies or social clubs solely to gather public health data, whereas the German and Maltese frameworks represent broad national legislative steps toward permanent, nationwide adult-use access.

What are the rules regarding driving and road safety if I consume cannabis in Switzerland?

Road safety regulations remain exceptionally strict in Switzerland, even for registered pilot project participants. The country enforces a zero-tolerance analytical limit of 1.5 micrograms of THC per liter of blood. If you exceed this limit, you face severe legal penalties, including the immediate suspension of your driving license, heavy fines, or imprisonment. Being part of a study or consuming legally does not offer any legal exemption or defense for driving under the influence.

Explore this topic further

These guides explain the background and address practical questions in the Swiss context.

Key figures

  • 7 — approved Swiss pilot cities (2026) (BAG · Pilotversuche 2026)
  • 3–5 J. — pilot-project duration per Swiss Narcotics Ordinance (BetmG Art. 8a)
  • 10 g/Mt. — max THC amount per participant per month (BAG · Studienprotokoll 2024)
  • ≥ 5’000 — cumulative participants across Swiss pilots (BAG · Zwischenbericht 2025)

Current research

  • Weed Care Basel — Interim evaluation — Universität Basel, Uni Basel · 2024
  • Züri Can — Study protocol and objectives — Stadt Zürich, Stadt Zürich · 2023

Datasets on this topic