Who consumes CBD in Switzerland? – Insights from a national survey

In recent years, interest in CBD has grown enormously in Switzerland and Europe. Many consumers are discovering the positive effects of the natural active ingredient extracted from the cannabis sativa plant. Awareness of the potential benefits of cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is growing steadily, particularly with regard to relaxation, pain relief and stress reduction. To find out more about CBD consumers in Switzerland, IG Hemp conducted a survey in collaboration with the online CBD store uWeed. The results provide fascinating insights into the profiles and preferences of Swiss CBD users.

Who are the Swiss CBD consumers?

The study included 1170 participants, representing a cross-section of CBD consumers in Switzerland. One of the most important results: A majority of respondents use CBD primarily to relieve stress and relax. More than 50% of survey participants say they use CBD for relaxation, while 46% use it to help them sleep better. Others use CBD for pain relief (26%) or to alleviate psychological stress such as anxiety or depression (14%). A smaller proportion of participants use CBD specifically to relieve symptoms of chronic conditions.

High level of education, but not high earnings

It is interesting to note that many Swiss CBD users are better educated than average. Almost 41% of participants have a university or college degree – significantly more than the national average of around 31%.

However, this does not mean that this group is particularly high-income. Around 40% of respondents earn less than CHF 50,000 per year, and only 16% have an income of over CHF 100,000. These figures also reflect the young average age of consumers: over half of the participants are between 18 and 40 years old, and only 22% are over 50.

This illustration underlines that a high level of education does not necessarily correlate with a high income, especially among CBD consumers in Switzerland.

The graph on the left shows the proportion of participants with a university or college degree (41%) compared to the national average of 31%. The graph on the right shows the income distribution:

• 40% of respondents earn less than CHF 50,000 per year.
• Only 16% earn an income of more than CHF 100,000 per year.

Gender-specific differences in CBD consumption

One striking point is that men use CBD significantly more often than women. Two thirds of the survey participants were male, which indicates that men are leading the way in this market. The study also shows that men are more likely to be long-term users: More than a third of the male participants have been consuming CBD for more than two years, while almost half of the women have only been at it for less than six months. There are also gender-specific differences in the preferred products: While men often reach for CBD flowers, women tend to opt for CBD oil.

Here is the chart showing the gender differences in CBD consumption in Switzerland. The left graph shows the gender distribution among CBD users:

• 66% of consumers are male.
• 34% of consumers are female.

The chart on the right shows the duration of use by gender:

• 33% of men consume CBD for more than two years.
• 50% of women have only been using CBD for less than six months.

These differences show that men tend to start using CBD earlier and women are more likely to be newcomers to this market.

Online shopping and information procurement

Most CBD consumers in Switzerland prefer to shop online: 74% order their products online. This is not least due to the increased use of online shopping since the start of the pandemic. Of these, 58% buy on multi-brand platforms, 35% directly from individual brands and 6% on marketplaces such as Amazon or Galaxus.

The way in which information about CBD is obtained also varies between the sexes. While men tend to rely on online sources such as specialist blogs and social networks, women rely more often on recommendations from their personal environment. The study also shows that consumers mainly look for information about the health benefits of CBD and the effects of the various products.

At Herba di Berna you will also find many blog posts on the website where you can find professional information about the consumption of CBD in its various forms. The specialist store on Scheibenstrasse is also always the place to go for non-binding advice on oils, flowers and other methods of taking CBD and what to look out for.

Which products do Swiss consumers prefer?

Swiss CBD consumers primarily prefer CBD flowers and oils. Both products are very popular, but differ in their style of use: flowers are often smoked or vaporized, resulting in a quick, intense effect, while CBD oil offers a milder, longer-lasting effect. Interestingly, flower users are more likely to consume it in social settings, while oil tends to be used alone. These differences show that the choice of product depends not only on the desired effect, but also strongly on the respective social context.

CBD as an alternative to THC?

Another aspect that the survey sheds light on is the relationship of CBD users to THC, the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Over half of the participants do not consume any illegal substances, followed by cannabis products containing THC. Of those who use both, 74% stated that they also use tobacco, and almost half occasionally use illegal cannabis. Should THC one day be legalized in Switzerland, more than half of users would still retain CBD as a supplement or even as a substitute.

Conclusion

The survey by IG Hemp and uWeed shows that CBD is already established in many areas of life in Switzerland. Consumers are well informed and pay attention to the quality of the products. Despite the growing interest, the market remains in flux, especially as the profile of users continues to diversify. Whether as a means of relaxation, to alleviate ailments or as an alternative to THC – the demand for CBD products is likely to continue to grow in the future.

Further information on the consumption habits and needs of CBD consumers in Switzerland can be found in the full report by IG Hanf und uWeed【Quelle】.