After several substances with a suspected psychoactive effect had already been listed in the Schedule of Narcotic Drugs in spring 2023,[1] the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) banned a further 10 individual substances and one substance group on 9 October 2023 at the request of Swissmedic in order to combat the misuse of new synthetic substances as narcotics.[2]
A substance group of synthetic cannabinoids as well as the individual substances HHCP, delta-9-THCP, delta-8-THCP, H4CBD and other substances are subject to authorisation in Switzerland from 9 October 2023 and may not be manufactured, traded or supplied.[3] Authorisations may be applied for for industrial and scientific use (Art. 7 para. 2 in conjunction with Art. 4 and Art. 5 BetmVV-EDI). Art. 4 and Art. 5 BetmG and BetmVV-EDI, Annex 6 List e). Cannabinoids that occur naturally in the hemp plant, such as CBD, CBC, CBG, are not affected by the prohibition.[4]
IG Hanf Schweiz welcomes the listing of the above-mentioned substances as an important step towards protecting the health of citizens. The listing has also created more legal certainty for distributors in Switzerland.
The recurring listing of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids by the FDHA shows that the problem has not been effectively solved since 2011.[5] Effective health protection can only be ensured in a regulated market for hemp and hemp products.
Sensible cannabis regulation forms the basis for youth and consumer protection, quality assurance as well as combating the black market and the sustainable development of the Swiss hemp industry.
[1] HHC in der Schweiz im Verzeichnis des BetmVV gelistet – IG Hanf Schweiz
[2] Gesundheitsrisiken durch Designerdrogen: Weitere psychoaktive Substanzen verboten (swissmedic.ch)
[3] AS 2023 569 – Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung, BetmVV-EDI) (admin.ch)
[4] Hingegen ist die Synthese von CBN und Delta-8-THC bewilligungspflichtig.
[5] Seit Dezember 2011 sind 287 Einzelsubstanzen und 15 Gruppen (Derivate) in das das Verzeichnis e (Anhang 6) der Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung aufgenommen worden
