Switzerland Expands Cannabis Research with recent approvals for two major trials in Bern, Lucerne, Biel, and Geneva.
Announced on May 10, the SCRIPT study, which investigates safer cannabis sales in pharmacies, has received the green light from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, the Cantonal Ethics Commission, and the Ethics Commission of Northwest and Central Switzerland. This research is orchestrated by the Bern Institute for Family Medicine at the University of Bern, slated to start from October 2023 and continue until April 2026, engaging 1,091 participants.
Reto Auer, who leads the SCRIPT study at the university, stated the project aims to scrutinize the health and social effects of regulated cannabis commerce at local pharmacies. This initiative intends to curb the appeal of cannabis products to the youth, a strategy borrowed from tobacco prevention efforts. Auer explained, “Our focus is not on advocating for cannabis legalization in the open market but rather on addressing issues stemming from prohibition and the illicit market through harm reduction strategies and stringent control over the supply and distribution.”
Auer further emphasized that educating consumers through pharmacy sales teams could mitigate the risks associated with unregulated cannabis, which might contain harmful substances like synthetic cannabinoids, pesticides, or fungi. “This controlled environment ensures consumers are well-informed about what they are purchasing, significantly reducing potential harms,” he added.
Adults aged 18 and over are eligible for the study, with half of the participants authorized to buy cannabis during the first six months to enable a detailed comparison and robust scientific findings, as per the official study announcement.
Moreover, an additional research initiative, “The Cannabinotheque: a pilot trial for the regulated sale of cannabis in the canton of Geneva“, has also been sanctioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. Starting in June 2023 and extending through June 2027, this study aims to deepen understanding of cannabis and tackle the health and social issues associated with its use, involving 1,080 participants.
Following the lifting of the medical cannabis ban in June 2022, Switzerland has moved forward with these trials, initially announced in September 2021. The medical cannabis legislation became effective on August 1, 2022, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to cannabis research and its potential therapeutic benefits.
The pioneering “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” trial, which commenced on March 23, 2023, involves 2,100 participants and focuses on promoting self-determination and health through personalized advice and collaborative efforts across various health protection domains, according to the city’s study website.
