Berne to Launch Regulated Cannabis Sales in Pharmacies This Autumn

The Swiss city of Berne is set to join other major cities like Basel, Zurich, Lausanne, and Geneva in legally distributing cannabis through pharmacies starting this autumn. The initiative, known as SCRIPT (Safer Cannabis – Research In Pharmacies randomized controlled Trial), has been approved by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and various ethical commissions. This pilot program aims to evaluate the health and social impacts of strictly regulated, non-profit cannabis sales in pharmacies

The SCRIPT study will be conducted over three years, from October 2023 to April 2026, in Berne, Biel, and Lucerne. It plans to recruit 1,091 participants, with around 600 from Berne alone. Eligible participants must be existing recreational cannabis users over the age of 18. Only half of these participants will be permitted to purchase cannabis products during the first six months of the trial

Reto Auer, the head of the SCRIPT study at the University of Berne, emphasized that the study's goal is not to legalize cannabis outright but to explore risk reduction strategies. The products, specifically produced for the study, will be available in selected pharmacies. These pharmacies will cover their expenses through sales, maintaining a non-profit stance. Auer noted that measures such as neutral packaging and the prohibition of advertising are intended to make cannabis less appealing, particularly to younger individuals

The study is expected to provide valuable data that could inform future federal cannabis regulations aimed at promoting public health and social security. This initiative aligns with broader efforts in Switzerland to explore regulated cannabis sales, as seen in a similar pilot project recently approved in Geneva. The Geneva project, involving multiple partners including the Canton and local associations, will also undergo scientific evaluation

As Switzerland continues to explore regulated cannabis sales, the outcomes of these pilot studies could significantly influence national policy. By focusing on controlled distribution and risk reduction, these initiatives aim to address issues related to cannabis prohibition and the illicit market. The findings from these studies could pave the way for more comprehensive cannabis regulation strategies in Switzerland