Switzerland is one of the top legal cannabis markets in Europe, having modernized its cannabis policies to permit medical use and commerce through a 2022 amendment to the Swiss Federal Narcotics Act. Swissmedic is the primary federal authority regulating medical cannabis in the European nation.

Alex Rogers, founder and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference, recently visited one of Europe’s top medical cannabis pharmacies. During his visit to Stauffacher Apotheke, located in Zurich, Switzerland, Rogers documented his experience and provided an inside glimpse into how Switzerland’s industry works.

The visit starts with Alex obtaining a medical cannabis prescription at Stauffacher Apotheke. Any doctor in Switzerland can prescribe medical cannabis as part of a regular course of treatment. Previously, this required a special permit from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). After obtaining his prescription, Alex Rogers describes the process and methodology of procuring his medicine.

Pharmacy staff at Stauffacher Apotheke strive to develop a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s needs and provide personalized advice while also presenting the best treatment options for each situation. The pharmacy offers patients special magistral formulations and produces small batches of individually tailored prescription medicines via its in-house laboratory.

In addition to being home to a legalized medical cannabis industry, Switzerland is also home to regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot research trials, including a pilot trial in Zurich. Stauffacher Apotheke is a participant in the “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” trial.

Check out the embedded video below to learn more about Alex Rogers’ recent visit to Stauffacher Apotheke: