Switzerland will forever be home to the first regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trial. Pilot trials are a unique research-based approach to cannabis commerce regulation, with cannabis consumers, producers, and retailers signing up to participate in limited commerce activity to help lawmakers and regulators gather data and other information.

The first pilot trial was launched in January 2023 in Basel, Switzerland, and since that time, several other jurisdictions in Switzerland have launched their own pilot trials. The Netherlands also permits adult-use pilot trials. Switzerland’s pilot trials continue to succeed and provide meaningful benefits to the communities in which they operate, including in Lausanne, where the pilot trial is combating the unregulated market.

“The black market for cannabis in Lausanne has lost 2 million francs in revenue since the opening of the legal sales outlet Cann-L in 2023. This pilot trial of regulated cannabis sales covers approximately 20% of the estimated consumption in the Vaud capital, according to the Lausanne Municipality.” reported RTS translated from French to English.

“The results of the Cann-L project are very positive. Not only have we removed 2 million francs from the illegal market and now cover 20% of consumption in Lausanne, but we are also contributing to the protection of the health of the people involved,” said Emilie Moeschler, municipal councilor in charge of social cohesion, according to RTS.

Zurich is another Swiss jurisdiction that is home to a regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trial. The “Züri Can – Responsible Cannabis” pilot trial is overseen by the City of Zurich and the University of Zurich and originally launched in 2023. Originally slated to operate until 2026, the City of Zurich recently received approval to extend the study into 2028. Participants in the Zurich study report improvements in their quality of sleep and other health benefits, according to researchers.

“Participants in the “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” study reported less problematic cannabis use, fewer sleep disturbances, and fewer anxiety symptoms. They also reported a decrease in physical complaints, which led to fewer visits to doctors. Furthermore, the levels of depression and general chronic health problems remained stable, the city of Zurich announced on Tuesday.” reported SwissInfo in its local coverage (translated from German to English).

“Researchers at the University of Zurich attribute the improvements to accompanying harm reduction measures. These include individual counseling by specialists, clear THC limits, and strict purchase limits.” the outlet also reported. “The results suggest that legal access could help make existing consumption less risky, the report continues.”

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. 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:

The documented benefits of the pilot trials in Lausanne and Zurich add to the continued success of Swiss pilot trials across the country. After more than three years of the regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trial operating in Basel, authorities continue to find positive results there as well.

Switzerland’s positive experience with pilot trials should encourage other European nations to also launch pilot trials, especially Germany, where the concept of pilot trials is already legal and has been since 2024. Unfortunately, for reasons that do not make any sense, federal authorities in Germany have failed to approve any pilot trial applications despite dozens of German jurisdictions expressing interest. If Switzerland can be home to successful pilot trials, Germany should be able to do the same.