CBD products are legal in Switzerland as long as they contain less than 1% THC. However, the regulations differ depending on the category of the product. For example, ingestible and utility products like cosmetics and tinctures are subject to separate Swiss laws.
Switzerland is often overlooked when it comes to cannabis, but its lenient narcotics laws make it an ideal place for the exploration of CBD. This is especially true for homegrown brands and reputable overseas companies that ship to Switzerland.
Legality
In Switzerland, CBD is a popular product that can be bought at supermarkets and kiosks. It is also a common ingredient in health supplements. It can be smoked, vaporised or ingested as a capsule. It is also used to make a wide variety of other products, including cosmetics and tinctures.
CBD can be legally sold in the country as long as it contains less than 1% THC. This is a much lower threshold than most European countries. THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis that produces a ‘high’.
In fact, Switzerland is a quiet champion when it comes to CBD and cannabis. Its unique approach to regulating the substance has made it one of Europe’s most progressive nations. This means that consumers can easily purchase CBD from a range of homegrown Swiss brands and reputable overseas suppliers. The country’s lenient attitude is expected to set it up as a hub for the CBD industry in the future.
Availability
In Switzerland, CBD products are available in a wide range of stores. The country’s discerning shoppers can buy local homegrown brands that are often organic, or choose from a host of reputable overseas brands that ship to the Alpine nation.
Unlike most European countries, where a THC limit of 0.2% distinguishes hemp from marijuana, the Swiss authorities allow hemp plants with up to 1% THC. This gives farmers the flexibility to grow their plants a little longer, which increases the amount of CBD and other cannabinoids they contain.
Consumers are also free to smoke or vaporise CBD flowers (as long as they don’t have more than 1% THC). This is possible because the cantonal chemist has determined that the plant’s THC content doesn’t influence human health. Hemp flowers are not subject to tobacco tax for the same reason. In this way, the new THC limit has made it much easier for consumers to buy and use cannabis-based products in Switzerland.
Homegrown brands
Homegrown brands offer a unique and diverse range of products and services, and are often organic. They are also an excellent way to support local businesses. For example, one of the best homegrown CBD companies, Lazarus Naturals, uses a farm-to-front door model that ensures the quality of its products and gives rural artisans a chance to showcase their skills.
Swiss law allows adults to use products containing up to 1% THC, the substance that triggers psychoactive effects, provided they are marketed responsibly and meet strict labeling standards. In addition, edibles and tinctures with low THC levels are legal, as long as they comply with the country’s laws on food and utility products.
The Swiss Association of Cantonal Chemists has analysed a number of foodstuffs that claim to contain CBD, and found that most failed to meet the legally required standards. This has resulted in sales bans for a number of products. These include CBD oils and dietary supplements.
Overseas brands
The good news is that Swiss customs have already taken note of the changing legal landscape and have published a practice overview of customs and tax issues surrounding CBD. This, coupled with an attractive corporate income tax rate of between 12% and 14% in many cantons, means that Switzerland is a very competitive location for companies looking to establish a European headquarters.
CBD derived from hemp with a THC level of less than 1% is not subject to NarcA and can be sold in a similar way as tobacco substitutes, for example in refill containers for vaporisers. The products must be clearly labelled, have a tax receipt and a certificate showing the origin of the hemp used in the preparation.
The Swiss brand Naturecan offers a wide range of products, all made using unique hemp cultivars that are certified organic. The company provides extensive test results on each product, including the potency of the cannabinoid content, terpene profile and microbes, as well as residual solvents and pesticides. These are all available to view on the lab results page of the website.cbd schweiz
