Cannabis pilot study in the Basel region shows success according to organizers
Published: Tuesday, Jul 2nd 2024, 09:00
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The legal distribution of cannabis has led to lower-risk cannabis consumption in a pilot study in the canton of Baselland. According to an initial interim evaluation of the trial, participants consumed more low-risk cannabis products such as vapes and edibles.
Sales of these products have risen sharply since the study began, the study organizers announced on Tuesday. This development may be due to the targeted specialist advice on forms of consumption that are less harmful to health than smoking.
The average flower and hashish consumption per participant was therefore initially stable. However, there was a slight decrease around four months after the start of the study.
For the study in the canton of Baselland, 4000 people are allowed to buy cannabis legally. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) approved the study in October 2023.
So far there are around 700 participants, around 80 percent of whom are men. 5,000 study products have already been handed out at the dispensary in Allschwil. These included around 35 kilograms of cannabis flowers and four kilograms of hash.
More expensive than illegal cannabis products
According to their own statements, the study participants have consumed significantly less cannabis from illegal sources since the start of the study. On average, they obtained cannabis from the illegal market on around twenty days a month before the start of the study. This figure fell to ten days. According to the press release, the prices for cannabis flowers are currently between eight and twelve francs per gram. Price adjustments are planned in order to successfully compete with the illegal market.
The "Grashaus Projects" study is organized by the German Sanity Group and conducted by the Swiss Institute for Addiction and Health Research (ISGF).
©Keystone/SDA
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