Hemp
Hemp is a versatile plant that can be used in many ways. Since it is no longer regulated under agricultural seed legislation in Switzerland, it can now be cultivated for medicinal and aromatic purposes. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is responsible for regulating the use of cannabis (narcotic hemp).
Plant requirements
Hemp plants marketed for commercial purposes require an official plant passport certifying the health of the plant. This ensures that no harmful organisms are spread. Hemp seed does not require a plant passport.
Hemp cultivation
The FOAG does not regulate the cultivation of hemp or issue cultivation licences.
Farmers can receive direct payments for ecological services when cultivating hemp for oil or fibre. However, hemp grown for other purposes is not eligible for support. Areas under hemp cultivation are recorded on forms using specific codes: 575 (oil hemp), 576 (fibre hemp) and 577 (other hemp). The cantons document these areas without specifying the variety.
A very small area is under hemp cultivation in Switzerland. While it increased up to 2020, the trend has since reversed. In 2023, 112 hectares were recorded, compared to 291 hectares in 2020 and just 5 hectares in 2014.
Variety catalogue and variety protection
All provisions on hemp in Swiss seed legislation were repealed by 1 January 2021; the FOAG's variety catalogue no longer contains hemp.
Breeders can still apply for protection for hemp varieties. The Plant Varieties Protection Act and its implementing provisions are not affected by changes in seed law.
Seed
No seed for oil or fibre hemp varieties is produced in Switzerland. Certified EU hemp seed is available through seed retailers. Hemp seed no longer faces import requirements, although plants require a plant passport (or a phytosanitary certificate for imports from non-EU countries). There are no requirements for exporting hemp seed from Switzerland, but it is advisable to research import requirements in destination countries.
Restrictions in feed law
Hemp seed is suitable as animal feed, and hemp fibres can also be used to produce animal feed for pets and livestock.
It should be noted, however, that hemp is not suitable as feed for animals that produce milk for human consumption.
Hemp as a medicinal and aromatic plant
While hemp is traditionally cultivated in agriculture for oil and fibre, it can also be used in other ways. The plant's flowers and adjacent leaves contain various species-specific active ingredients, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has intoxicating properties. In Switzerland, cannabis is classified as a narcotic when it has a THC content of 1% or more. International conventions require strict controls on such substances. In recent years, Switzerland has made progress in implementing these controls while also making it possible to use cannabis for medicinal purposes, which was previously prohibited.
Regulation of cannabis
The recreational use of cannabis is prohibited in Switzerland. The FOPH regulates exceptions, such as those for research purposes. Swissmedic is responsible for the entire production process for medicinal cannabis, from plant cultivation to finished medical product. Hemp containing less than 1% THC is not classified as cannabis for regulatory purposes and may be used in agriculture.
Recreational use of cannabis
Recreational use of cannabis remains prohibited in Switzerland. The FOPH regulates exceptions, primarily in research contexts. These exceptions include the pilot trials with controlled dispensing of non-medicinal cannabis.
- THC content > 1%
- Narcotics Act (NarcA)
- Enforcement by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
Medicinal cannabis
The use of narcotic cannabis for medicinal purposes falls under swissmedic's authorisation and control system. The ban on cannabis for medicinal purposes was lifted in 2022. Use cases and cultivation practices are currently being developed.
- THC content > 1%
- Narcotics Act (NarcA), Therapeutic Products Act (TPA)
- Enforcement by swissmedic
CBD hemp
Hemp with less than 1% THC is not classified as a narcotic substance in Switzerland. There are numerous applications of cannabidiol (CBD) that are not yet comprehensively regulated by law. Swissmedic has established guidelines for legal categorisation and differentiation of these products.
- THC content < 1%
- Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) & others
- Overview and implementation guide on products containing CBD
Oil and fibre hemp
Oil and fibre hemp is not classified as a narcotic and is cultivated in closed field stands before harvesting and threshing, similar to crops such as rapeseed and sunflowers. The EU catalogue of varieties includes high-performance hemp varieties with seed that can be imported into Switzerland. Following the 2021 repeal of hemp provisions in Swiss seed law, varieties for purposes other than oil and fibre production are also available.
- THC content < 1%
- Agriculture Act (AgricA)
- Enforcement by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG)
Further information
The FOAG provides a reduced English-language version of its website that does not include all further information such as documents, legislation or links. These can be found on the pages in the three official languages (German, French and Italian).