Improved Mental Health Reported In Swiss Cannabis Study

Switzerland is home to a somewhat unique set of cannabis commerce public policy experiments. The research experiments are known as regional adult-use cannabis commerce ‘pilot trials’ and involve permitting legal sales at a local level to help government officials gather data.

Multiple markets have trials operating in Switzerland, including in Basel, where recently examined data found that pilot trial participants report ‘improved mental health’ after consuming legal recreational cannabis products.

“Over the course of the two-year “Weedcare” recreational cannabis study, depressive symptoms and anxiety decreased among the participants, Basel City’s Department of Health reported on Friday. They also showed less addictive behaviour.” Swiss Info stated in its local coverage.

“The study is being led by Basel City’s Department of Health, together with the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, the Psychiatric Services Aargau and the University of Basel.” the outlet also reported.

Basel’s pilot trial was the first to launch in Switzerland. In addition to Switzerland’s research trials, cannabis pilot trials are also operating in multiple jurisdictions in the Netherlands and are expected to launch soon in Germany.

In the first two years of Basel’s study, which involves a reported 300 participants, 87 kilograms of cannabis products were sold. The pilot trial in Basel is slated to continue until January 2027, at which point government officials will publish a final report.