Our projects
Scientifically supported pilot trials in Switzerland.
About the pilot projects
Swiss Cannabis Research accompanies several scientific pilot projects on the recreational use of cannabis. The aim of these projects is to gain insights into consumption behaviour, prevention and regulation, and thereby create a fact-based foundation for future policy decisions.
The projects make it possible to study, under real-world conditions, how a regulated cannabis market affects the health of people who use cannabis and society as a whole. Based on these findings, we develop recommendations for responsible and effective cannabis regulation in Switzerland.
Pilot project
Canton of Zurich
Status: under way
The Zurich pilot trial investigates the social and economic effects of legal access to cannabis for recreational use in the Canton of Zurich. Within a controlled, randomised study, 7,500 participants in 34 municipalities of the Canton of Zurich are scientifically accompanied. The aim is to gain reliable data on consumption behaviour, health, prevention and societal effects for people with legal access to cannabis. The results will provide a fact-based foundation for future policy decisions on cannabis regulation.
The scientific design follows a randomised evaluation, which is the gold standard for empirical research. Participants are assigned by lot to one of three groups (A, B,
or C). With a 67% probability, participants are allocated to groups A or B and receive access to legal cannabis during the four-year study period. Participants in group C have no access to study cannabis, but their participation makes an important contribution to the scientific basis for future decisions on cannabis regulation.
There are currently no study places available. Sign up on the waiting list via the button below.
Pilot project
Canton of St Gallen
Status: under way
The St Gallen pilot trial investigates the social and economic effects of legal access to cannabis for recreational use in the Canton of St Gallen. Within a controlled, randomised study, 5,000 participants in 42 municipalities of the Canton of St Gallen are scientifically accompanied. The aim is to gain reliable data on consumption behaviour, health, prevention and societal effects for people with legal access to cannabis. The results will provide a fact-based foundation for future policy decisions on cannabis regulation.
The St Gallen pilot trial has been running since spring 2026 and consists of two parts. Part 1 examines willingness to pay for legal cannabis products and lasts around 2 months. Part 2 examines the impact of access to legal cannabis and lasts up to four years. The scientific design follows a randomised evaluation, which is the gold standard for empirical research. After the willingness-to-pay phase (Part 1), participants are randomised again for the long-term study (Part 2) into one of three groups (A, B or C). Two thirds of all participants are allocated by lot to groups A or B and receive access to legal cannabis during the four-year study period. Participants in group C have no access to study cannabis, but through their participation make an important contribution to the scientific basis for future decisions on cannabis regulation.
Pilot project
Canton of Bern
Status: under review
Add yourself to the waiting list for the pilot trials in Bern; we will inform you by email as soon as onboarding begins.
Support independent research and help shape the future of cannabis regulation.