Can I use cannabis in Switzerland?
No — cannabis remains prohibited in Switzerland, but small amounts are decriminalised. Using and possessing THC cannabis are banned under the Narcotics Act (BetmG). An adult caught consuming, or carrying up to 10 g for personal use, normally gets a fixed fine of CHF 100 (Art. 19b BetmG). Mere possession of up to 10 g for own use is in principle penalty-free, but consumption itself triggers the fine. Over 10 g is punishable even for personal use. CBD with under 1% THC is legal to sell and buy. In Zürich the Züri Can pilot sells cannabis legally to enrolled adults. In short: no, but small amounts only with a fine.
📋 The rules
- Cannabis stays prohibited (BetmG)
- Up to 10 g personal use: CHF 100 fixed fine
- Over 10 g: punishable even for own use
- CBD under 1% THC is legal
- Züri Can pilot only for enrolled adults
🔓 Exceptions
- Pilot trials (Züri Can, Weed Care Basel): legal sale to enrolled adults
- Medical cannabis on prescription
- Minors: juvenile criminal law, no CHF 100 flat fine
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Adults with up to 10 g for personal use pay a fixed fine of CHF 100. Regular users or those caught with larger amounts go into ordinary proceedings with higher fines (around CHF 300–500) plus procedure costs. Beware a myth: "cannabis is now legal in Switzerland" is false — it's sold legally only within the scientific pilot trials, to enrolled participants. Tip: if you've used cannabis, don't drive — at the wheel you risk licence withdrawal and heavy penalties.
📎 Official sources
- FOPH · Narcotics Act →
- FOPH · legal status of hemp and cannabis →
- Züri Can pilot trial (City of Zürich) →
❓ Frequently asked
Is cannabis legal in Switzerland?
No. Using and possessing THC cannabis are banned under the Narcotics Act. But small amounts up to 10 grams for personal use are decriminalised and dealt with by a fixed fine of CHF 100, rather than ordinary criminal proceedings, for adults.
How much can I possess?
Up to 10 grams of cannabis counts as a minor amount for personal use. Mere possession of this amount is in principle penalty-free, while consumption itself triggers the CHF 100 fine. Over 10 grams is punishable even for purely personal use.
What does the fine cost?
The fixed fine for adults is CHF 100 for up to 10 grams for personal use. Anyone caught repeatedly or with larger amounts goes into ordinary proceedings with higher fines of around CHF 300 to 500 plus procedure costs, which can add up considerably.
Is CBD legal?
Yes. Cannabis with less than 1 percent THC falls outside the Narcotics Act and may be legally sold and bought. CBD products aren't intoxicating and are freely available in Switzerland, though specific products may be subject to other rules and labelling requirements.
What is Züri Can?
Züri Can is a federally authorised scientific pilot trial in the City of Zürich, selling THC cannabis legally to enrolled adult residents. Similar trials run elsewhere, such as Weed Care in Basel. They are the only legal source of recreational cannabis in the country.
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