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Is cannabidiol legal in Switzerland?
Cannabis legalization
06.07.20
Is cannabidiol legal in Switzerland? A burning question with a simple answer: yes. But under what conditions? And what about European legislation? These are just some of the questions we'll try to answer in this article. But first, let's try to understand what CBD is and how it relates to the cannabis plant.
What is CBD?
The term CBD refers to the cannabidiol molecule found in the cannabis plant in varying quantities. This molecule is a cannabinoid, a family of active ingredients found in cannabis. There are over 80 of them, but the best-known (and most important) are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Each of these cannabinoids interacts with the CB1 and CB2 neuroreceptors. But where THC can produce a stupefying effect, CBD has no psychotropic impact. Its interaction with the body seems to be limited to benefits for improving well-being, regaining dynamism and daily balance. So many benefits that justify its popularity on the Swiss and international scenes.
How to use cannabidiol
As mentioned above, CBD comes from the cannabis plant. However, it would be simplistic to think that the only way to consume this extract is by smoking. In fact, thanks to the ever-widening success of this substance, a growing number of alternatives have emerged. Here are just a few of them.
CBD Oil
Extracted from parts of the cannabis plant dried and ground using a very precise processcannabidiol oil has won over aficionados and those curious about well-being. And how is it so successful? Its success is largely the result of a multitude of studies.
CBD Flowers
Flowers are the image that first springs to mind when one thinks of consuming CBD or, more generally, cannabis. But, as already explained above, CBD, unlike THC, does not cause psychotropic effects. This also applies to dried flowers.
This type of consumption is best reserved for recreational use, for relaxation. The use of a vaporizer is recommended. In fact, it seems to present fewer health risks than consumption by combustion.
Other CBD-derived products include relaxing infusions and e-liquids.
Cannabidiol and legality
The legislative issues surrounding cannabidiol may seem complex, firstly because of its link with THC, and secondly because of the differences in legislation between countries.
Cannabis: legal in Switzerland?
Since 2011, under Swiss law, cannabis containing less than 1% THC is not regulated by the Narcotics Law (LStup, SR 812.121)..
CBD itself is also not governed by this law, as it has no psychoactive effect. What's more, with its reputation as a "universal remedy", the cannabidiol content of cannabis and its derivatives is not, for the moment, subject to specific regulation.
This means that as long as a product - whether oil, flower or infusion - does not exceed the 1% THC threshold, it is legal, regardless of CBD content. This is a very interesting law, which guarantees consumers a non-psychotropic experience, while taking into account the benefits that can be derived from a low dose of THC.
Cannabis: legal in Europe?
To date, there is no European legislation legislation on cannabis. Each country in the union is therefore responsible for drawing up its own laws on the subject. This explains the differences that can be found when crossing borders. One thing is clear: most of the countries surrounding Switzerland are less tolerant when it comes to cannabis. In France, Germany and the UK, for example, only hemp containing less than 0.2% THC can be grown. In Italy, the theoretical limit is also 0.2%, but a margin of error of up to 0.6% THC is tolerated.
Why choose Swiss cannabis?
As we've seen, the main comparison between Swiss cannabis and its European cousins lies in the amount of THC authorized. However, a difference of 0.8% can have a decisive impact on the product's impact. A phenomenon known as the entourage effect can make a given cannabis-based solution more or less effective.
The entourage effect
The interaction between the components of a cannabis plant is referred to as the entourage effect.
According to theory, there are over 480 components in a cannabis strain. These components fall into three different categories: cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Each of these three types of elements plays an essential role in the consumer's experience: cannabinoids are primarily responsible for physiological effects, terpenes determine taste and smell, while flavonoids are responsible for the plant's color.
Two strains of cannabis with different genetic make-up will have two different effects on the same consumer. Why should this be? Precisely because of this entourage effect. The components interact with each other to produce a particular sensation. Each combination has its own particularity. And the more different the elements, the more effective they are.
On the other hand, this entourage effect does not work as well in products containing only a limited number of components. This is why the legal THC dose in Switzerland is more attractive than that of its European neighbors.
Cannabis legislation has evolved considerably in recent years. This is partly due to the emergence of various studies on the use of cannabis in the quest for well-being. We are, however, still at the very beginning of this field of research. Governments are still struggling to establish definitive legislation on the subject. We can therefore expect a number of revisions and updates to Swiss, European and global laws.
Written by Johann Boschung
