Zuri Can: Switzerland Releases First Data from a Pilot Cannabis Program

The “Zuri Can – Cannabis mit Verantwortung” project launched in Zurich, under which participants can legally purchase cannabis, aims to study the impact of legalization on society. Conducted by the Addiction Disorders Research Group at Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich, the experiment began in March 2023. Its aim is to provide scientific evidence on the consequences of the legal distribution of cannabis.

This cannabis project responds to growing global interest in regulating access to marijuana and the potential benefits of such an approach to public health, crime and the economy. “Zuri Can” aims to collect important data that may influence future policy decisions regarding cannabis in Switzerland and around the world.

Read more on the subject and find the most important cannabis news from around the world with the Hemp.im mobile app.

Organizing access to cannabis

As part of the “Zuri Can” project, participants have the opportunity to legally purchase cannabis at one of 21 designated locations, including pharmacies, Drogeninformationszentrum (Drug Information Center) and Cannabis Social Clubs.

Pharmacies offer expert health advice, DIZ specializes in promoting the safe use of recreational drugs, and social clubs offer a place to socially consume cannabis and exchange experiences. This variety of access points aims to explore the impact of different distribution environments on consumption and consumption behavior.

Zuri Can participant demographics

A chart shows the age distribution of cannabis users in Switzerland participating in the Zuri Can project, divided into five-year groups. The largest percentage of participants, 23.2%, are people aged 23 to 27, and the smallest, 0.1%, are people aged 78 to 82.

Analyzing the demographics of the participants of the “Zuri Can” project, we see a clear age diversity. The largest group are people aged 28 to 32, which constitutes over 23% of participants. The share of people aged 23-27 and 33-37 is also significant. Interestingly, the project attracts participants from a wide age spectrum, even over 50, which may indicate the diversity of needs and experiences related to cannabis consumption.

As for the gender of participants, men dominate, making up approximately 80% of all registrants, while women represent 18% and non-binary people 1.2%. These demographic distributions are consistent with general trends observed in research on cannabis users, but also highlight the need to understand unique consumption patterns and behaviors by gender.

Frequency of consumption

Analysis of consumption frequency showed that the largest group of project participants, over half, used cannabis at least four times a week before participating in the experiment. A significant proportion of participants used cannabis two to three times a week.

These data may indicate a high level of involvement and regularity in consumption among participants, which is important information for analyzing potential changes in consumer behavior within the project.

Cannabis use disorder

Cannabis use disorder can manifest itself in different ways and with varying degrees of severity. In the context of the “Zuri Can” project, it was noted that a certain percentage of participants had experienced problems related to cannabis use before starting the program.

With the regulated availability of marijuana, participants have the opportunity to purchase a product with set and controlled concentrations of THC and CBD , which can help reduce risk and ensure user safety. Additionally, access to professional advice and support within the project may help people with disorders manage their consumption habits and possible treatment.

Sales and product offer

The “Zuri Can” project offers a diverse range of cannabis products, both in the form of dried flower and hashish . The range is characterized by different proportions of THC to CBD, which allows the product to be tailored to the individual preferences of users.

All products must meet strict Swiss quality standards, including cultivation in accordance with agricultural practices for medicinal plants and organic certification. The diversity of genotypes reflects the variety of effects that may be desired by users, from Sativa to Indica dominant strains.

Here is a list of the flower and hash varieties available from the “Zuri Can” project:

Hash:
Sour Pollen (20% THC, 5% CBD, Sativa dominant hybrid)
Lemon Resin (15% THC, 5% CBD, Indica dominant hybrid)
Jura Gold (20% THC, 5% CBD, Sativa dominant hybrid)
Grand Marais (15% THC, 10% CBD, Sativa dominant hybrid)

Flowers:

Wedding Cake (20% THC, less than 1% CBD, Indica dominant hybrid)
Cairo Dessert (12% THC, less than 1% CBD, Sativa dominant hybrid)
Apricot Mimosa (9% THC, 8% CBD, Indica dominant hybrid)
Super Lemon Haze (15% THC, less than 1% CBD, Sativa dominant hybrid)
Sour Diesel (6% THC, 12% CBD, hybrid)
So far, all products have been purchased by study participants. In total, approximately 16,500 cannabis products were sold, including approximately 140 kg of cannabis products in 5 gram packages (equivalent to 28,000 packages).

Preliminary conclusions of Zuri Can

European cannabis cultivation company Cannavigia is collaborating with the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health in a study to track marijuana sales and provide data on consumption trends through its Marijuana Distribution System.

According to Tobias Viegener, Cannavigia’s head of marketing, these preliminary results are already providing important insights.

“The first data from the ‘Zuri Can’ pilot project, released this month, reveals promising insights into the functionality of the regulated cannabis market and its acceptance among participants,” he told Forbes. “This level of commitment demonstrates positive reception and an effective distribution system, laying a solid foundation for future cannabis policy and regulation.”

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(Featured image by Henrique Ferreira via Unsplash)

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