Author: hashtshish

« We will not be able to compete with the low prices obtained by large consumers. But according to testimonies, it seems that customers are ready to pay a premium for a quality product, without synthetic cannabinoids. »*

Frank Zobel, deputy director of Swiss Addiction

The Lausanne pilot trial for the regulated sale of recreational cannabis is in turn entering a concrete phase. A point of sale will open by the end of the year in the city center. Some 200 people have already registered to participate in the project called Cann-L, reports RTS.*

“With the opening of registrations and that of the place of sale towards the end of the year, it is a major project of the legislative program of the Municipality which is coming to fruition today”, rejoiced Émilie Moeschler, municipal in charge of sports and social cohesion.*

After multiple stages which began in 2015, all the pieces of the pilot test are now in place, including the last one, the place of sale. “We wanted to find a location in the city center: it will be at rue du Maupas 7, an easily accessible site,” she explained. The store will now be fitted out and the sales team completed by the end of the year.*

The point of sale will sell products from a Geneva farm, in the form of herb (marijuana) and resin (hashish). They can be purchased within the limited quantities set by federal legislation and with a maximum THC level of 20%. They are intended exclusively for personal consumption and in the private sphere.*

Expected traffic jams*

If nearly 2,500 people have expressed their interest on the project website, 1,800 of them are potentially eligible: 200 have been contacted since September 21 and have already made an appointment for a first mandatory interview, announced Frank Zobel, deputy director of Swiss Addiction, who leads the scientific aspect of the project. Some 1,600 emails were also sent on Tuesday for further registrations.*

“Traffic jams” are expected, due to the time required for interviews and the relatively limited stock of cannabis currently available, he warned. “We are going to integrate interested people little by little, with the target of a panel of 1,200 people. Next year, two or three production sites will provide goods instead of one currently,” he said.*

Questionnaire twice a year*

Inspired by Quebec, the Lausanne project aims to monitor the evolution of the black market, but also to evaluate the effects of non-profit sales on consumer behavior, recalled the manager. To this end, participants will have to answer a questionnaire every six months.*

The 45-minute preliminary interview will remind you of the framework of the project and confirm eligibility (being of legal age, residing in Lausanne and already a cannabis user). A personal card will allow you to purchase cannabis. It will also be used to prove possession of the product in the event of a police check.*

Lots of unknowns*

According to Frank Zobel, “the cannabis market is the most disorganized of all.” So there are a lot of unknowns about the impact of the trial – quantity sold, number of participants, etc.*

The association hopes to be able to remain close to black market prices, between 9 francs and 13 francs per gram. “We will not be able to compete with the low prices obtained by large consumers. But according to testimonies, it seems that customers are ready to pay a premium for a quality product, without synthetic cannabinoids,” noted the manager.*

Reduce nuisance*

In Switzerland, 4% of adults consume cannabis. In Lausanne, their number is estimated at around 6,500, including 1,500 daily for a turnover of around nine million, recalled Pierre-Antoine Hilbrand, municipal officer in charge of security. For the elected official, Cann-L “must make it possible to reduce the illegal market and the nuisance it causes”.*

The project, costing 1.7 million francs, is planned to last four and a half years. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) gave the green light last March.*

In 2023, the cities of Basel and Zurich have already launched the controlled sale of cannabis in pharmacies. The canton of Geneva announced last week that its Cannabinothèque would open its doors in Vernier next December. All of these projects will provide food for thought on the evolution of federal legislation in the field of cannabis.*

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« The Lula government intends to regulate the planting of Cannabis for medicinal purposes in Brazil, replacing the importation of products. »*

national secretary of Policies on Drugs and Asset Management of the Ministry of Justice, Marta Machado

The secretary in charge of the area at the Ministry of Justice says that this will be one of the priorities at Conad, reports Folha de S.Paulo.*

The Lula government intends to regulate the planting of Cannabis for medicinal purposes in Brazil, replacing the importation of products, says the national secretary of Policies on Drugs and Asset Management of the Ministry of Justice, Marta Machado.*

Currently, planting is allowed only in case of obtaining a favorable court decision. In March, the ministry had already defended in a lawsuit that the Superior Court of Justice should authorize the planting in Brazil.*

In the demonstration, the cabinet says it considers convenient a wide and adequate regulation of the importation and cultivation of cannabis with a low concentration of THC (a component that generates psychoactive effects), for industrial, pharmaceutical, and medicinal purposes.*

Marta stated that allowing the planting will be one of Conad’s (National Council for Drug Policy) priorities. Members of the Ministry of Health, Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency), and the Federal Police are also part of the council.*

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« This bill is not so much about medicine as about the industrial cultivation of cannabis and corruption schemes by the government regarding permits and the development of huge financial flows. »*

People’s deputy Iryna Herashchenko

Before the bill can become law, it must pass a second reading following any amendments and necessary finalization before being sent to the president for his signature, reports Kyiv Post.*

Ukraine’s parliament has given its initial approval to a bill aiming to legalize medical cannabis in the country. People’s deputies Iryna Herashchenko and Yaroslav Zheleznyak confirmed the successful vote, with 268 deputies supporting the legislation. *

“The long-awaited bill on medical cannabis has passed the first reading. But this bill is not so much about medicine as about the industrial cultivation of cannabis and corruption schemes by the government regarding permits and the development of huge financial flows,” Iryna Herashchenko wrote.*

However, before the bill can become law, it must pass a second reading following any necessary finalization and subsequently be sent to the president for his signature.*

President Volodymyr Zelensky has already expressed his support for the bill, urging parliamentarians to vote in favor of it at the end of June.*

The draft law put forward by the Ministry of Health outlines several key provisions. First and foremost, it proposes establishing a licensing system for the cultivation of cannabis strains intended for medical purposes.*

Entities seeking to engage in the cultivation of cannabis for medical, industrial, or scientific and technical activities will be required to obtain the appropriate permit.*

Furthermore, the bill advocates to strict monitoring of the production and distribution of medical cannabis and related products. Each batch of medication will be labelled with a unique barcode, ensuring comprehensive tracking throughout the supply chain.*

Additionally, the proposal calls for the implementing of an electronic register to record the movement of medical cannabis. Patients will only be able to access cannabis-based medications with a valid prescription from a qualified medical professional based on a relevant medical diagnosis.*

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« For minors, consumption remains prohibited and for young adults (up to 21 years old), it is limited. »

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach

Germany took a further step towards the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes on Wednesday with the adoption by the Council of Ministers of the bill, which will be accompanied by a prevention campaign aimed at young people, reports RTS.*

According to the text, which has yet to be debated and voted on by parliament, it will be possible from the age of 18 to buy and possess up to 25 grams of cannabis. Germany will thus have one of the most liberal legislations in Europe, following in the footsteps of Malta and Luxembourg, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2021 and 2023 respectively.*

The coalition of the social democrat of Olaf Scholz with the Greens and the Liberals made this legalization one of the flagship projects of his mandate even if the initial plan went much further. Faced with the reservations of the European Union, Berlin had to review its copy. *

The reform also arouses criticism from the opposition, police unions or judges who believe that it will not put an end to trafficking, when it is one of the objectives.*

According to this bill, it will also be possible to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for one’s own use.*

Cannabis clubs*

The new legislation provides for the creation of non-profit associations whose adult members – their number is limited to 500 – will be able to cultivate the plant for their own consumption, under the supervision of the public authorities.*

These “Cannabis Social Clubs” – as they call themselves – will have a regulated activity: they will only be able to supply their members and at the rate of 25 grams per day with a maximum of 50 grams per month. For young people aged 18-21, it will be a little less: 30 grams per month. These clubs will be subject to controls by the public authorities.*

The consumption of cannabis must be outside these clubs and will be prohibited within 200 meters of these clubs, schools, playgrounds, sports fields and associations for young people.*

Youth awareness*

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also plans to launch a major awareness campaign aimed at young people on the dangers of cannabis for the brain “particularly harmful when it is still in a period of growth”.*

“For minors, consumption remains prohibited and for young adults (up to 21 years old), it is limited,” he said in a statement.*

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« Up until now, those eligible for medical marijuana had to get a special license. »

Israeli health ministry

Approval of the plan would be the first step to legalising possession of limited amounts of the drug and allow ‘cannabis club’ members to buy it for recreational purposes, reports The Times of Israel.*

The Health Ministry says that from December, doctors will be able to prescribe marijuana to patients.*

The ministry publishes its reforms into the medical marijuana system, saying that it will review the system again after a year.*

The reform is intended to make it easier for patients to access the drug and remove bureaucratic hurdles. Up until now, those eligible for medical marijuana had to get a special license.*

The reform also removes CBD products that do not have psychoactive properties, from drug restrictions.*

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« …adults allowed to possess up to 25 grams of the drug and grow a maximum of three plants for personal use. »

german government

Approval of the plan would be the first step to legalising possession of limited amounts of the drug and allow ‘cannabis club’ members to buy it for recreational purposes, reports Euronews.*

Germany is set to approve a plan to liberalise the country’s rules on cannabis, which could see adults allowed to possess up to 25 grams of the drug and grow a maximum of three plants for personal use.*

Cabinet approval, expected on Wednesday, has been billed as the first step in a two-part plan and will still need to be ratified by Parliament.*

If finalised, it would also allow the drug to be cultivated and sold by “cannabis clubs” to its members for recreational purposes.*

The proposed plan is a stride forward for a prominent reform project of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s socially liberal coalition, though significantly short of the government’s original ambitions.*

Officials hope legalisation will help push back the black market, protect consumers against contaminated products, and reduce drug-related crime.*

But the plan faces opposition from several quarters.*

The centre-right opposition believes the government is pressing ahead with legalising a risky drug despite European legal obstacles and expert opinion.*

And an organisation representing German judges says the proposed law is likely to increase rather than decrease the burden on the judicial system.*

The government said it plans to follow the new legislation with a second step which would see five-year tests of regulated commercial supply chains in select regions.*

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« The pilot trial and the follow-up study aim to assess the health and social effects of selling cannabis in pharmacies. »

Reto Auer, project manager at the University of Bern

The Bernese pilot trial for the regulated sale of cannabis in pharmacies will be able to start. The Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP), the Cantonal Ethics Commission and the Ethics Commission of North-West and Central Switzerland have issued the necessary authorisations, reports the RTS.*

The pilot trial and the follow-up study aim to assess the health and social effects of selling cannabis in “strictly regulated and non-profit” pharmacies, recalls Reto Auer, project manager at the University of Bern, quoted Wednesday in a press release from the university.*

The study will be conducted in the cities of Bern, Biel and Lucerne. It should start “probably in the fall”. It is planned to recruit 1091 participants, including about 600 in the federal city, specifies the latter.*

People who regularly use cannabis for recreational purposes and who are at least 18 years old can participate in the study.*

Similar studies have already been authorized in Basel, Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva.*

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« The effects of regulated non-profit cannabis sales on consumer behavior and its impact on the illegal market. »

Emilie Moeschler, municipal in social cohesion

The Lausanne project for the regulated sale of cannabis is taking shape. Entitled Cann-L, the pilot trial has received authorization from the Federal Office of Public Health, thus joining the projects already validated in Basel and Zurich, reports the RTS.*

People wishing to participate in this study – 2000 have already expressed their interest on the project’s website – will be able to register in June. The place of sale, which is not yet known, should open in September, the City of Lausanne indicated on Tuesday.* The Vaudois capital and its partner Addiction Suisse, which is leading the scientific part of the project, hope to bring together a panel of around 1,200 people who use cannabis and live in Lausanne.*

The products will be available in a single point of sale and without medical connotation. Several premises are currently being evaluated.* The sales team is being formed. This will provide advice on consumption and risk reduction, as well as reminders on the legislation in force. It will also be able to “evaluate and guide people with problematic consumption in the support network”, specifies the City of Lausanne.*

On sale by September*

“After the Cantonal Ethics Commission, the authorization of the OFSP marks a major step for our project”, commented Emilie Moeschler, the municipal councilor for social cohesion, quoted in the press release. She added that the concrete phase could now start with, as a first step, the launch of registrations.*

Necessary for the study, the “local and organic” cultivation of the plants can also begin. The first harvest will take place during the summer. This will be followed by a period of preparation of the products before they go on sale by September.*

These products will be intended “for personal consumption and in the private sphere”, underlines the Vaud capital. And to recall that it seeks to study, via this pilot project, “the effects of the regulated sale of non-profit cannabis on the behavior of consumers as well as its impact on the illegal market.”*

The project should thus make it possible to better understand consumption, but also strengthen prevention. In terms of security, it is a question of limiting the nuisance caused by the illegal market.*

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« His research group discovered the first endocannabinoid in 1992, which he named anandamide. »

International Alliance for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM)

On 9 March 2023, Raphael Mechoulam, professor emeritus of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, passed away at his home in Jerusalem at the age of 92. He is often referred to as the father or grandfather of cannabinoid research because of his ground-breaking discoveries. He had first determined the exact chemical structure of the cannabis active ingredient delta-9-THC in 1964, together with Yehiel Gaoni, and his research group discovered the first endocannabinoid in 1992, which he named anandamide.*

Raphi, as he was called by his friends, enjoyed high international recognition not only because of his great scientific achievements, but also because of his impressive personality, which made him a role model and inspiration for many scientists. He contributed significantly to improving the lives of thousands and thousands of people with severe diseases through cannabis treatment. We were fortunate and honoured to have him as a member of the IACM Board of Directors for many years and as Chairman of the IACM from 2003-2005. Among many other awards given to him during his life, he received the IACM Special Award in 2014 for his contributions to the re-introduction of cannabis and cannabinoids into medicine.*

We will miss him. He will live on in our hearts.*

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« The canton does not intend to launch a trial of this type itself, but it supports the principle. »

The Vaud government

The Vaud Council of State wants to supervise pilot trials for the sale of cannabis for non-medical purposes. The Lausanne Cann-L project will be the first to see the light of day in the canton, after the final authorization from the Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP), reports RTS.*

The Vaudois government submits to the Grand Council a draft decree which specifies the role of the cantonal authorities in monitoring and supervising the pilot projects. This is particularly the case in terms of safety and public health.*

Support for the principle of such trials*

The canton does not intend to launch a trial of this type itself, but it supports the principle, he explains in a press release on Thursday.*

In particular, it is planned to set up a monitoring and control commission. It will be responsible, in association with the FOPH, for monitoring the implementation of the trials, their coordination and the processing of any reports and complaints. This commission will be chaired by the cantonal doctor and will bring together experts, representatives of the municipalities and of justice and police circles.*

The canton will contribute to the financing of the scientific part of the trial. For this purpose, he is requesting an amount of 525,000 francs for three years.*

Dedicated store in the center of Lausanne*

On May 20, Lausanne presented its cannabis sales pilot project. The objective is to measure the effects of a regulated sales model on consumers and drug trafficking. Cannabis should be sold in a dedicated store downtown.*

A first study on the regulated sale of cannabis began at the end of January in pharmacies in Basel. Other projects are awaiting final authorization from the FOPH, notably in Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva.*

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