Statement by IG Hanf Schweiz on the NZZ article “Unhealthy” from August 2, 2026
Bern, August 4, 2026
The article "Unhealthy" in the "NZZ am Sonntag" examines in detail the health risks of cannabis regulation. The Swiss Hemp Association (IG Hanf Schweiz) shares its premise: cannabis is not a harmless substance. However, in our view, the analysis falls short where it fails to systematically compare the risks of a regulated market with those of the current black market. At the same time, the article itself demonstrates that it is not regulation per se that determines the health consequences, but rather its specific implementation.
The crucial factor in the assessment is therefore the comparison between today's black market and a regulated market. The black market lacks reliable age verification, does not declare active ingredient content, and does not test for impurities. In contrast, a regulated market establishes mandatory age verification, tested and declared products, traceability, prevention measures, clear distribution rules, and effective protection for young people. This is precisely the aim of the current Swiss draft law on cannabis products. It provides for strong public health protection mechanisms: Non-profit sales, a comprehensive advertising ban, a minimum age of 18, a THC limit and a steering tax that makes riskier products more expensive. The preliminary draft thus limits those commercial sales incentives that the article identifies as the main drivers of the problematic developments in the USA and parts of Canada.
What the available data show
The article criticizes the fact that the Swiss pilot studies only include existing cannabis users and therefore reveal little about whether regulation creates new users. The answer lies in the data on consumption from countries with regulation. The article notes that in Canada, cannabis use among young people has remained largely stable overall since legalization. The increase among adults, however, continues a trend that existed before legalization.
Previous implementation experience shows that a regulated levy within a strictly controlled framework is feasible. The evaluation commissioned by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) notes that the seven pilot projects have so far proceeded without any significant incidents or negative impacts on health or public order. However, the report states that the longer-term effects on health and consumer behavior cannot yet be definitively assessed.
The Swiss Hemp Association (IG Hanf Schweiz) has maintained a clear position for years: the goal of regulation is not to promote consumption, but to displace the black market with a strictly regulated market that offers effective protection for young people and public health. The crucial question, therefore, is not whether cannabis poses risks—there is scientific consensus on that—but rather which system best reduces these risks.
"Regulation is not intended to promote consumption, but to control it. Quality-tested and labeled products, a comprehensive advertising ban, clear age limits, and targeted prevention: these are key differences between the planned Swiss model and the highly commercialized markets whose consequences the article warns against." says Renato Auer, media officer, IG Hanf Schweiz.
The Swiss Hemp Association welcomes objective dialogue and is happy to provide editorial offices, politicians and the public with prepared data, studies and experts.
About the Swiss Hemp Association. IG Hanf Schweiz is the industry association for the Swiss hemp and cannabis sector. It was founded in 2017 and advocates for fact-based, health-oriented cannabis regulation.
Contact. Lukas BrunnerManaging Secretary, 076 541 04 20, lukas.brunner@ighanf.ch
Link to the original NZZ article: Cannabis legalization: What we know about the dangers
How have cannabis use and related indicators changed since legalization of cannabis for non-medical purposes? Results of the Canadian Cannabis Survey 2018-2022 - PubMed