The Canton of Zurich has initiated Switzerland’s largest cannabis study to date. With the participation of 7,500 individuals, along with the University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich, this project aims to delve into various aspects of cannabis consumption within the region. Will last over five years, the study bases entirely on the donations, highlighting the growing interest and investment in cannabis research within Switzerland.
The study’s objectives
Paul-Lukas Good is a President of the Swiss Cannabis Research association. He emphasized the study’s objective to contribute to discussions surrounding cannabis regulation. With a research budget of approximately 1.5 million Swiss francs, the project is driven by a collective effort to deepen understanding and inform policy regarding cannabis usage.
Under the guidance of Andreas Beerli, research lead from the ETH Zurich’s KOF Economic Institute, the study’s scientific focus is examining the social and economic consequences of cannabis consumption among participants. Key inquiries include investigating potential correlations between legal cannabis access and factors such as health outcomes and educational trajectories. Conversely, researchers will also explore whether increased accessibility could lead to heightened consumption and its associated negative impacts.
How is the project managed?
Notably, only two out of three participant groups will have access to regulated cannabis, providing a unique comparative lens against a control group continuing to procure cannabis illegally. Beerli anticipates that this approach will yield valuable insights, potentially revealing disparities across demographics, geographic locations, and age groups.
From May 2024 onwards, individuals enrolled in the study residing in Zurich, Winterthur, Schlieren, and Horgen will have access to cannabis through specialized stores and pharmacies. A total of 34 municipalities are eligible to participate, with additional sales points planned in Adliswil, Wädenswil, and Uster.
Although the recruitment process has just commenced, a staggering 3,000 individuals are already on the waiting list, underscoring the considerable public interest in cannabis research. Moreover, participants can rest assured about data privacy, as entities like the road traffic office will remain uninformed about their involvement.
This initiative echoes a similar project launched by the city of Zurich last year, which currently involves nearly 2,000 participants. Managed by the Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich, the city’s study provides health consultations alongside research endeavors. In contrast, the Arud Center for Addiction Medicine will oversee medical support for participants in the new project. Both studies operate independently, each contributing valuable insights into the multifaceted landscape of cannabis consumption and its implications.
As Switzerland continues to navigate discussions surrounding cannabis regulation, initiatives like these not only foster informed decision-making but also underscore the nation’s commitment to evidence-based policy formulation. Through rigorous research and collaboration between academic institutions and the community, Switzerland is paving the way towards a more nuanced understanding of cannabis and its societal impacts.