Quality issues delay sale of cannabis products in Basel pilot scheme
Switzerland's first pilot project for the legal sale of cannabis products has been delayed after some of the initial stock failed quality control tests.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Русский
ru
Начало легальной продажи марихуаны в Базеле отложено
The ‘Weed Care’ experiment in the city of Basel was supposed to launch on September 15. But it has been put on hold because traces of pesticides were found in some of the supposedly organic plants.
Basel’s health department said on Friday that the delay could last several weeks or even months as products must now be analysed again by an independent body.
Six cannabinoid products – four types of cannabis flowers and two types of hashish – were due to go on sale in nine pharmacies from next week.
The Federal Office of Public Health approved the pilot scheme in April as part of a project by the University of Basel, its psychiatric clinics and the cantonal health department.
It is intended to help evaluate the effects of new regulations on the recreational use of cannabis and ultimately combat black market distribution.
Pilot sale over-subscribed
Several other local authorities, including Zurich, Geneva and Bern, have also applied to roll out similar trials. The Swiss parliament laid the legal basis for such small-scale initiatives in September 2020.
The Basel pilot, which will allow 370 people to participate in the sale of approved products, is over-subscribed with 700 applications.
Basel health officials will now consider options, including different products from the official supplier or even examining different potential suppliers.
The recreational use of cannabis remains banned in Switzerland but it can be consumed for medical reasons. In 2008, voters rejected a proposal to decriminalise cannabis consumption.
More
More
Swiss cannabis market – a delicate balancing act
This content was published on
Producing and selling hemp inflorescences with low THC content has been legal in Switzerland since 2017. But the market hasn’t been a gold mine.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
Health office approves first Swiss project to sell cannabis for recreational use
This content was published on
The city of Basel is the first to be given the green light by the Swiss authorities for a scientific trial with cannabis for recreational use.
Legal marijuana could earn millions for Swiss state
This content was published on
Some 130 firms have registered with the Swiss federal authorities to sell legal pot that could generate CHF30 million ($30.2 million) in revenue.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.