Switzerland Makes Moves to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

Following a landmark vote by the National Council’s Social Security and
Health Committee (SGK-N) on February 14, 2025, Switzerland is on track to
fully regulate adult-use cannabis. The committee approved a draft federal
law by a vote of 14-9 (with 2 abstentions), paving the way for the legal
cultivation, sale, possession and consumption of cannabis. The proposed
legislation will undergo public consultation this summer, and if approved,
could be implemented as early as 2026.

“It was undisputed in the Commission that the use of cannabis is a social
reality. The majority of the Commission considers the current situation to
be unsatisfactory and the prohibitive approach to be flawed,” states a
press release from the Commission.

“The past year in Europe has been encouraging for homegrowers and the
regulated cannabis industry as a whole, even more so as Switzerland looks
to expand access to the plant,” said Shai Ramsahai, president of
European-based Royal Queen Seeds, the world’s largest cannabis seed bank.
*Key Provisions of the Proposed Law*

The new cannabis law builds on Switzerland’s existing adult-use cannabis
pilot projects, which have been operating in cities like Basel, Zurich and
Bern since 2023. These programs have tested controlled sales in
dispensaries, pharmacies and social clubs, providing data on the impact of
regulated cannabis access. Here are the primary points of the proposed law:

1. *Personal Cultivation:* Adults aged 18 and over would be allowed to
grow up to three female cannabis plants for personal use.
2. *Commercial Sales:* Cannabis production would be profit-oriented, but
retail sales would operate under a state-controlled license system
(monopoly). The sale in retail locations must not be profit oriented.
Potential profits from sales would be reinvested into prevention, harm
reduction and addiction support programs.
3. *Strict Regulation:* Cannabis products must be sold in neutral
packaging with health warnings and will be subject to a complete
advertising ban. The entire supply chain would be digitally tracked to
ensure compliance.
4. *Taxation & Revenue Use:* Products will be taxed based on THC content
and consumption method, with revenues redistributed through the health
insurance system.
5. *Cantonal Oversight:* Switzerland’s cantons (similar to US states)
will have significant control over local licensing and enforcement.
6. *Road Safety:* Zero-tolerance policies for driving under the
influence of cannabis will remain in place. Anyone caught with THC in their
system will be considered unfit to drive.

*Cannabis Leaders Weigh In*

“Switzerland’s model balances state control, personal autonomy with home
cultivation and tax redistribution for harm reduction, reinforcing a
responsible, public health approach,” Ramsahai said. “At Royal Queen
Seeds, we support policies that empower individuals and create structured
opportunities for businesses to contribute to a responsible and flourishing
industry.”

Live from the February 21, 2022 Talman House Event in Zürich, Switzerland,
three other experts in cannabis provided their insights on the draft
legislation. Paul-Lukas Good, a renowned Swiss attorney and President of
Swiss Cannabis Research, a nonprofit association that organizes adult-use
cannabis pilot trials, emphasized the significance of this legislative
step. “This draft law represents a major shift in Swiss drug policy. It
acknowledges the failure of prohibition and aims to create a transparent
and responsible market that prioritizes public health.”

Andrew David Petronanos, CEO & Chairman of Zürich-based Dascoli Pharma AG
added that “Switzerland’s proposed adult-use legalization rules demonstrate
how a state-controlled cannabis model can ensure strict regulation designed
to prevent misuse, while preserving pharmaceutical integrity. This approach
could guide the EU legalization model, keeping medical and adult-use
markets distinct for safety and compliance.”

Bob Hoban, global cannabis industry veteran says, “A legal cannabis market
in Switzerland will drive innovation, create jobs and generate significant
tax revenue.” As a faculty member of the Cannabis Policy Institute at the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Hoban is leading a research project
to determine the factors that can objectively determine the “success” of
any given cannabis legalization program. To that end, Hoban notes that the
Swiss regulatory program “ensures quality control and consumer safety while
extinguishing the illicit market. And this sets the program up for
demonstrable success that both the industry and the international community
require.”

Sergio Martinez Bejar of Barcelona and New York-based Blimburn Seeds,
reflected on Switzerland’s proposal to allow three plants per person for
home cultivation. “A policy like this creates an opportunity for seed
companies to engage directly with consumers while ensuring genetic
diversity and quality control. It encourages home growing and also
challenges us to innovate and adapt to a sophisticated and regulated Swiss
market.”

With growing public and industry support, Switzerland’s move toward
adult-use legalization could help more countries across Europe adopt
similar cannabis policies. The final version of the law will be shaped by
public consultation in the coming months, and the momentum toward
conservative legalization appears stronger than ever.

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