Author: Timon Burckhardt

IG Hemp, 10.10.2023 (As a member of IG Hemp we distribute this post in our blog) Following the listing of several substances with a suspected psychoactiveeffect in the Narcotics Schedule Ordinance in spring 2023[1]On October 9, 2023, at the request of Swissmedic, the FederalDepartment of Home Affairs (FDHA) inspected a further 10individual substances and one […]

At the end of September 2023, the National Council again expressed its support for the concerns of “PI Siegenthaler”. Parliament has approved an extension of the deadline needed to draft a new cannabis law. If things continue to go smoothly, the new regulation of the cannabis market (also called legalization 😉) could thus become a […]

CBD hemp has gained tremendous popularity in recent years as more and more people discover the plant’s many health benefits. But how is CBD hemp actually consumed? In this article, we will take a closer look at different consumption methods for CBD hemp and help you find the best one for you. The basics of […]

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) marks a critical milestone in medical research and has revolutionized our understanding of health and wellness. In this article, we will follow the fascinating journey to discover the ECS and take a closer look at its importance to our lives. The ECS: A Surprising Revelation The existence of […]

Driving on the road after cannabis consumption – what actually applies? And how does that work with CBD hemp? Unlike alcohol, the rules that apply to cannabis on the road are not yet part of general knowledge in Switzerland. There are well-known principles (“No drugs at the wheel”). However, these are only moderately helpful when […]

In discussions about cannabis and especially cannabis legalization, one question is asked again and again: Does cannabis lead to psychosis disorders? The answers are often unclear, different or even contradictory. We are trying to provide some clarity. However, there are no absolute truths to be read here either, as these hardly exist as things stand […]

Cannabis investments have experienced a real boom in recent years. Thus, even non-experts of the hemp industry and small investors could benefit from an extremely profitable and tempting business. In addition to the shares of cannabis companies traded on the stock exchange, for some time now dubious companies have also been offering cannabis cuttings for […]

The last few weeks, a new ruling by the Federal Court has been the talk of the town. The highest court ruled that an unpunished amount of cannabis (<10g and exclusively for personal consumption) cannot be seized by the police. This is another step towards the decriminalization of cannabis. In principle, less criminalization of consumers […]

Healthy soil is the foundation for a successful cannabis cultivation harvest. But far beyond the plant roots, the condition of the soil has a far-reaching influence on the quality of the plants and their composition of active ingredients. In this article, we explore how cannabis cultivation can contribute to soil health. We shed light on […]

In the world of plant extracts and natural remedies, the term “Entourage Effect” has become an important concept. This phenomenon describes how the combination of different compounds in plant extracts can produce synergistic effects that isolated compounds alone cannot achieve. Especially in relation to cannabinoids such as CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) from the hemp […]

“CBD is popular with older people” was the headline in various Swiss newspapers in recent weeks. The reason for this was a new study by the market research institute LINK, which took a close look at the cannabis market in Switzerland. Thus, what has been known for some time in the USA has now also […]

It has already been confirmed several times by the Federal Court that possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis does not constitute a criminal offense.[1] It was previously unclear whether the cannabis could be confiscated by the courts. This issue was clarified by the Federal Court on June 19, 2023. Contribution of IG Hemp, […]

Cannabis has a long tradition as a medicinal plant in Switzerland as well. With the 1951 ban, this application was also lost. No, it was not lost. It was criminalized and withdrawn from the attention of the general public – because medical hemp was and is still used. The MEDCAN association has set itself the […]

Hemp capsules are a convenient way to take CBD in the form of a dietary supplement that is growing in popularity. Just in time for the product launch in our store, here is the necessary background knowledge. We have compiled everything worth knowing about hemp capsules and asked our producer “Zauber-Blüten” what they have to […]

More and more pet owners are becoming interested in the potential benefits of CBD (cannabidiol) for their beloved pets. CBD is extracted from hemp plants and is known to have a variety of positive health effects. In this article, we will take a closer look at how CBD can help pets and what to look […]

Hemp, scientifically known as Cannabis sativa, or cannabis for short, is a plant with a fascinating history that goes back thousands of years. From its earliest uses in ancient times to its current status as a controversial topic, hemp has undergone a series of transformations. In this article we take a look at the history […]

Stress is a ubiquitous phenomenon in sports. Both before and after a hard workout or competition, athletes can be under tremendous stress. The physical and mental stress can lead to anxiety, sleep disturbances and impaired performance. Fortunately, there is a natural solution that can help athletes reduce this stress: CBD. [1] What is CBD and […]

2-Arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) is an important substance in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the human body. The ECS is a complex network in the body that regulates a variety of biological processes. In this article, we will take a closer look at the role and effect of 2-arachidonylglycerol in the ECS. What is 2-arachidonyl glycerol? 2-Arachidonylglycerol, […]

Anandamide is often referred to as the happiness hormone. This article aims to show where this name comes from and how the endocannabinoid works in the body. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of this important molecule. Understanding the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids […]

The endocannabinoid system is a fascinating network of receptors and molecules that plays an important role in maintaining balance in the body. One of the key components of this system is the type 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2 receptors for short). In this article, we will take an in-depth look at these receptors and their importance […]

The endocannabinoid system is a fascinating regulatory system in the human body that affects a wide range of functions. A key component of this system is the CB1 receptors, which play an important role in signal transduction and regulation of various processes in the body. The importance of the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system consists […]

In May 2023, the University of Bern’s cannabis pilot project was approved by the Federal Office of Public Health and the cantonal ethics committees concerned. Under the name “SCRIPT – The Safer Cannabis Research In Pharmacies randomized controlled Trial”, the health and social effects of regulated cannabis sales will be investigated in the cities of […]

Hemp is one of the oldest crops in the world and has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes, including food. Foods with hemp as an ingredient are becoming increasingly popular, as they not only taste delicious, but are a wholesome food. Hemp seeds, which contain only minute amounts of cannabinoids […]

The endocannabinoid system is a fascinating and complex system that has received much attention in medical research in recent years. It plays a crucial role in maintaining balance in the body and influences numerous physiological processes. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the anatomy, function, and role of the endocannabinoid system. […]

The 17th Cannatrade seamlessly joins the success story of the Swiss Hemp Fair. Also this year a new record size was reached with more than 10’000 visitors and 150 exhibitors. During 3 days, the many facets of the hemp plant and its applications were marveled at. With pleasure we were also to be found in […]

For more basic knowledge on the topic of “CBD and competitive sports”, we recommend reading the 1st part of our series on CBD in sports: CBD and competitive sports (Part1): What’s behind it? We at Herba di Berna wanted to generate our own empirical values for the topic of CBD and sports, which is why […]

This is the 1st post in our two-part series on CBD and competitive sports. In the second part, we asked trail runner Michael about his experiences: CBD and competitive sports: Experiences of an extreme athlete. CBD oil is on everyone’s lips and is used as a “miracle cure” for almost any ailment. And what about […]

In recent years, hempcrete, also known as hemp lime, has become a popular choice for sustainable construction. is a mixture of hemp fiber, lime and water and has many advantages over conventional building materials. What is hemp concrete? Hempcrete is a sustainable building material made from hemp hurds, lime and water. Hemp hurds are a […]

April 20 is an important day for us: 420, the World Hanging Day. In 2023, it was – at least for commuters at the stations in Bern and Zurich – also particularly gratifying. Together with the cuttings farm, we gave away 11,000 CBD hemp cuttings to give the hemp plant the attention it deserves for […]

Hemp fiber has been known for centuries as one of the most versatile and sustainable fiber crops. Most recently, however, they have been heavily displaced by the global trade in cotton and later synthetic fibers, and by regulatory restrictions. They are obtained from the stems of the hemp plant and have many advantages over other […]

CBD oil is a dietary supplement derived from hemp plants and for some time has been increasingly used in sports. Many athletes use it as a supplement to improve their performance and recover faster. What do you need to know? What is CBD oil and how does it work? CBD oil is extracted from hemp […]

Hemp paper is made from hemp fibers, which are extracted from the hemp plant. The production of hemp paper is a much more environmentally friendly process compared to conventional paper made from wood. In this article we will take a closer look at how paper is made from hemp and why it can become an […]

Hemp is a plant that has been used for various purposes for thousands of years. In the 17th century, the cultivation of hemp as a raw material reached its peak: All of the ships’ sails and ropes were made from hemp fibers and had to be replaced about every two years.[1] There are various reasons […]

Hemp as a building material is becoming increasingly important and is seen in the construction industry as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials such as concrete and steel. The use of hemp as a raw material in construction offers numerous advantages and is a promising trend. In this article, we will take a closer […]

Since the summer of 2021, it has been clear that pilot trials on the legal use & sale of cannabis will be conducted in Switzerland. Despite the widespread interest, which is reflected among other things in a large media response, our patience is being tried. In Basel, the start of the “WeedCare” pilot trial planned […]

Cannabis is known for its different aromas and flavors. From citrusy notes to earthy nuances and floral scents, the range of smells and tastes that cannabis can produce is broad. But what exactly gives cannabis its distinctive scents? The answer lies in the terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants and are responsible […]

CBD is increasingly used in cosmetic products. This article is about the use of natural CBD in cosmetic products and what benefits it can have for the skin. Learn more about how you can care for yourself and relax with CBD cosmetics. What is CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural ingredient of hemp. Unlike THC, […]

Cannabis is a versatile plant that has been grown in many cultures for centuries. However, the botanical basis of cannabis is often misunderstood or even unknown. In this article we will look at the botany of cannabis and explain the different aspects of growing and harvesting this plant. Cannabis is (as a rule) grown as […]

CBD oil has become increasingly popular in recent years and has become a major topic in the health industry. It is extracted from the leaves and stems of the hemp plant and contains a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound with promising health benefits. In this blog post, we will discuss everything important […]

We support the work of LegalizeIt! and thank you very much for the interesting article about the legalization implementation in Thailand, which we are kindly allowed to publish in our blog. First-hand information, as close as possible – that’s exactly what we like you to read! Travelogue: Cannabis in Bangkok (Thailand 2022) In early December […]

About a year ago, in early 2022, French cannabis legislation was chaotic. At first, unprocessed product was banned even with THC content below 0.3%. Just one month later, however, a court suspended enforcement of this boondoggle. Almost exactly one year after the original decree of 30.12.2021, the French Council of State has now reversed its […]

More and more senior citizens report using cannabis. Medical reasons are often in the foreground. In July 2023, a study was published that examined the potential of CBD products in Switzerland. It showed that senior citizens in particular are increasingly interested in CBD products. Thus, 30% of the surveyed person over 60 years said they […]

What legalization would bring economically is hardly discussed. However, the topic offers plenty to talk about. The possible legalization of cannabis brings many different issues to the table. Discussed are the health effects, forecasts of changes in consumption, prevention, consumer protection, repression, and political feasibility. A study has finally been published on the financial advantages […]

This summer, the topic of cannabis was regularly taken up by the media. The focus was on the so-called pilot tests. These allow the dispensing of cannabis containing THC, currently in the form of flower or hashish, as part of scientific projects. We reported more than a year ago on how the legal basis for […]

At the national level, slow progress has been made with regard to cannabis legalization. Now the canton of Solothurn is signaling that more could happen: On 6 September 2022, the cantonal parliament sent a state initiative to the federal government in Bern.The canton of Solothurn is calling for the legalization of the cultivation, trade and […]

The impending introduction of mandatory denaturation for hemp oils poses major problems for the cannabis industry. In the last post, we described the problem in more detail and also mentioned some possible solutions.It is now also clear how Herba di Berna will proceed with the CBD hemp oils. CBD oils as cosmetics instead of chemicals […]

Hemp oils with CBD are an important mainstay for Herba di Berna AG as well as for many other CBD companies. In April of this year, this market was put before the end of the line in a seemingly arbitrary order from the federal government: since CBD oils have not yet been approved as food, […]

What is CBG (cannabidiol)? This question comes up time and time again. While most people have at least heard of CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), cannabigerol (CBG) is still a relatively unknown active ingredient of the hemp plant. However, in a growing cannabis market and constantly advancing research, CBG is increasingly coming into focus. But […]

The U.S. House of Commons passed the Marijuana Reform Act this spring, which would legalize cannabis nationwide. Things are also moving in Switzerland: In Basel and elsewhere, preparations for pilot tests on the legal sale of cannabis are in full swing. The canton of Solothurn is calling for a carefully crafted new regulation, i.e. legalization, […]

Now it’s been another few weeks since Cannatrade took place on the Expo grounds in Bern. The expectations were great, the influx huge. Almost 10,000 people flocked to the largest hemp fair ever held in Switzerland. Over 250 exhibitors from 40 countries were present, including, of course, Herba di Berna. The Berner Zeitung headlined “The […]

In our webshop, we not only sell harvested and processed CBD products, but also cuttings and larger young plants. With these, you can grow your own CBD flowers. In this cannabis cultivation guide, we explain how indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation works and what you should look out for in terms of soil, lighting and […]

From May 20 to 22, 2022, CannaTrade, the largest hemp trade fair in Switzerland, will take place at the Bern Expo grounds. During three days, more than 250 exhibitors from all over the world will present proven and new products on the topic of cannabis. Busy business customers can let off steam in the Business […]

“All our plants grow in organic soil. For us, this is the only way to grow plants.” – with these words we introduce our production.In fact, we go a big step further than that: we rely on worm cultures, probiotic microorganisms and various beneficial organisms to provide the plants with a living soil that is […]

More than two years into the pandemic, it is becoming increasingly apparent how dramatic the impact of “Long Covid” will be. In whom the symptoms persist and for what reason is unclear, even experts are at a loss. Affected people, still in a fog of fatigue, breathing difficulties, headaches and various other symptoms months later, […]

It pays to keep at it. After interventions of the hemp industry, the Federal Council holds that also cannabis resin (pollinate) is regulated with the 1% limit. Cannabis resin containing less than one percent THC thus becomes a marketable product. The amendment is expected to take effect in the summer of 2022. How it came […]

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At the beginning of February, the Association of Cantonal Chemists of Switzerland (VKCS) went public with a media release on CBD-containing foods. The communication left the hemp industry in no good light: 85% of the products were objected to and 73% were even criticized as posing a health risk – without further specification. Important for […]

In January, researchers at the University of Chicago published a study that showed potential efficacy of CBD against the replication (propagation) of Sars-CoV-2. The researchers used this publication as an opportunity to call for further research on this topic. The results of the study would suggest an effect, but are still far from a confirmed […]

Soon it will be Valentine’s Day again. An exciting day that can be both stressful and beautiful. In either case, relaxation is the name of the game, whether it’s getting through the day unscathed or making sure it’s memorable. Many studies suggest – and many people say it from their own experience – that CBD […]

The association“Rêves sûrs – Safe Dreams” wants to offer young people a safe roof over their heads. Behind this project are people who come from the field of open youth work and alley assistance. For them, it is clear that Bern lacks an emergency sleeping facility for young people. Although there are emergency sleeping facilities, […]

The cooperation between us and the workshops of VEBO in Grenchen and the Oberwald Center from Solothurn means a lot to us. We are happy to stand by this successful cooperation and would like to show what it looks like in this blog post. At the Oberwald center, our products are refined and the packaging […]

Cannabis can be stored at home for up to 9 months without any problems if stored properly. However, in order to avoid quality loss, a few things should be taken into account. If the flowers are not stored well, the active ingredients can evaporate and in the end only a dry dust is left, or […]

Do you sometimes stand in front of the shelf and ask yourself: “Which of these do I actually need?” When it comes to full-spectrum vs. isolate, the terms sound like a chemistry lab at first, but the difference is quite simple – and crucial for your experience with high-quality hemp drops. Imagine you have the […]

The association “Legalize It!” has been campaigning for the legalization of THC for about 30 years. In order to achieve this goal, the association constantly monitors and evaluates developments in Swiss hemp policy. The results of this political work are shared on the website hanflegal.ch and in the magazine “Legalize It!”, which is published every […]

There has been a lot happening in the cannabis legalization space in recent weeks. Legalization suddenly seems quite a bit more tangible – both in Switzerland and in Germany. What just happened, and what does it mean now? In Switzerland, cannabis policy took a big step forward in the Health Committee of the Council of […]

A new study on CBD consumption habits in Switzerland was published at the beginning of September. The aim of the survey was to gain a better understanding of the consumer structure and the needs of Swiss consumers. The study was initiated by uWeed in cooperation with IG Hanf, the industry association of Swiss cannabis companies. […]

At the beginning of July 2021, the FOPH published the results of a population survey on cannabis at a media briefing. The aim of the survey conducted by Sotomo was to know the attitudes of the voting population at the time of the launch of the pilot tests . Does the chosen path meet with […]

Anyone wishing to enter the trade and production of cannabis products in Switzerland must first take an in-depth look at the applicable legal basis. This is a very laborious exercise, as one is faced with a large and confusing collection of laws that affect and regulate various aspects of economic activity in different cases. When […]

Some time ago, National Councilor Heinz Siegenthaler (center) submitted a parliamentary initiative (PI) calling for far-reaching new regulation of the cultivation, production, trade and consumption of cannabis containing THC. With this demand, the initiative, which was co-signed by about 40 parliamentarians, is based on a recommendation of the Federal Commission on Narcotic Drugs. In April, […]

Following a meeting with IG Hemp, Council of States member Thomas Minder (no party affiliation, SVP parliamentary group) submitted a postulate in March calling for a report from the Federal Council outlining how various aspects of the hemp plant can be economically exploited. On the basis of these findings, it will be explained how they […]

After the Council of States unanimously approved a bill to amend the Narcotics Act (BetmG) with regard to cannabis medicines at the beginning of March, the bill passed through the National Council relatively uncontested. This amendment is intended to finally facilitate access to cannabis medicines. Until now, physicians had to obtain a special permit from […]

In the European Union, natural full-spectrum CBD has also been approved as a cosmetic ingredient since the beginning of March 2021. Whereas previously only synthetic CBD was explicitly permitted, the formulation was extended to include herbal products as part of a revision of “CosIng”. The CosIng is a database of the EU, which contains cosmetic […]

On March 31, 2021, it became clear that pilot cannabis dispensaries could be approved by the FOPH starting in mid-May. Following the National Council and the Council of States, the Federal Council also approved this amendment to the Narcotics Act, which is intended to provide new insights into health and consumption patterns in the context […]