{"id":70066,"date":"2025-10-08T09:10:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T08:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/?p=70066"},"modified":"2025-11-25T11:40:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T10:40:04","slug":"cbd-for-burnout-can-the-hemp-plant-offer-natural-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/blog\/cbd-for-burnout-can-the-hemp-plant-offer-natural-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannabis regulation in Switzerland – a critical analysis of the IG Hemp position paper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The IG Hemp<\/a> writes:<\/p>\n\n

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“The reality of the black market in cannabis today undermines the central objectives of the four-pillar policy: the protection of minors cannot be enforced, product quality and product information are not guaranteed, and users are exposed to unnecessary health risks.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

We agree: only regulated specialist stores<\/strong> with a clearly defined mission and the right framework conditions can effectively protect minors, guarantee product safety and provide consumers with honest information.<\/p>\n\n

For a local, sustainable cannabis economy<\/h2>\n\n
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IG Hemp emphasizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“IG Hemp demands that only cannabis produced and processed in Switzerland be permitted on the legal market. Importing weakens the development of a local, ecologically responsible industry.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Our vision is clear: Swiss First<\/em> – wherever possible. We believe that cannabis belongs in Switzerland – because if not here, then where? Even if the Alpine climate imposes limits on us, we want to keep as much added value as possible in Switzerland in the future. Where necessary, however, we will rely on fair, transparent partnerships with our neighbors – not as a compromise, but as a complement to strong Swiss production, as production capacities in Switzerland are limited. This creates a sustainable future in which security of supply, quality, responsibility and trust take center stage – for us and for all those who share our values. <\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Swiss<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Specialty stores instead of monopolies through nationalization<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
\"Modern<\/figure>
\n

The IG Hemp writes clearly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“IG Hemp advocates a market-oriented approach in which specialist stores can operate in an economically viable manner. IG Hemp firmly rejects state sales monopolies.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

We at Herba di Berna<\/strong> stand behind this demand: only licensed private specialist stores<\/strong> can provide customers with competent advice, drive out the black market and offer a genuine selection. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

No synthetic cannabinoids<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

IG Hemp states:<\/p>\n\n

\n

“The authorization of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids<\/a> would undermine the credibility and level of protection of the legal market.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Synthetic cannabinoids – a dangerous market development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Firstly, in recent years we have observed with concern that synthetic cannabinoids – artificially produced substances that are supposed to mimic the effects of THC – are experiencing a veritable boom in some of our neighboring countries. The consequences are dramatic: time and again, people are dying because they are consuming supposedly natural cannabis that has actually been treated with synthetic cannabinoids. This reality deeply concerns us – and frankly also makes us angry. <\/p>\n\n

There are two main reasons for this development.<\/p>\n\n

Firstly, the very different legal regulations within the EU on the permissible THC content of industrial hemp mean that producers try to artificially “enhance” flowers. Chemical treatments are often used to make products appear stronger or more “marketable”. We can only hope that the EU Commission will finally agree on more uniform and realistic limit values in the upcoming autumn session of the EU Parliament. <\/p>\n\n

Secondly, pure greed for profit. The black market – and unfortunately also the legal grey area in some cases – is driven by profit maximization, not by responsibility towards consumers. These synthetic substances are cheap to produce but highly risky to consume. <\/p>\n\n

We at Herba di Berna<\/strong> clearly distance ourselves from such practices. We stand for transparency, organic quality and honest plant power – without artificial intervention or chemical manipulation. It is important to us to educate people about these dangers and to sensitize them to a conscious, safe use of cannabis. <\/p>\n\n

The fact is that around 99% of the current negative headlines surrounding cannabis can be traced back to synthetic cannabinoids and their abuse – a problem that practically did not exist before 2010. This development shows how urgently we need scientifically sound regulation, honest producers and well-informed consumers. <\/p>\n\n

Our goal remains clear: naturalness instead of chemicals, education instead of fear.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Pure<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Realistic THC limits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

IG Hemp warns:<\/p>\n\n

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“Blanket THC limits are not practical. They would not lead to a reduction in risk, but would merely strengthen the illegal market.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

We see the current values as a realistic guide for producers and consumers. They address the reality of the black market – a central concern that is crucial for an honest discussion about cannabis. <\/p>\n\n

At the same time, we at Herba di Berna<\/strong> are convinced that weed with 30% THC is not necessary. Apart from the fact that such claims are often more marketing than truth – as a study from Zurich(Schweizer Suchtpanorama 2023<\/a>) shows, which analyzed over 250 samples and found an average THC content of less than 15 % – we also see it as our task to point out the risks. <\/p>\n\n

Young consumers are particularly at risk, as their brains are still developing. This scientific fact should be given greater consideration in regulation. We would like to see a more differentiated approach, with clear, age- and needs-based restrictions instead of blanket bans or unrealistic limits. The rising number of psychoses associated with high THC use is another argument for more education and responsible use. More knowledge, less scaremongering – for an honest, science-based cannabis culture.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Only with such realistic regulations can regulation become credible and effective.<\/p>\n\n

Our conclusion<\/h2>\n\n
\"Infographic<\/figure>
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The regulation of cannabis is a unique opportunity for Switzerland<\/strong>. For it to succeed, it needs clear, realistic and locally anchored<\/strong> implementation. Furthermore, we clearly advocate more scientifically sound information for consumers – and fewer persistent myths such as “weed is a gateway drug” or “if you smoke weed, you won’t get anything right”. These ideas contradict the scientific findings of the last 15 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want to educate people with well-founded blog posts – this is a central part of our self-image. We are professionals in our field and experience every day how much outdated social values hinder an open and reflective approach to cannabis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More science, less half-knowledge!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We at Herba di Berna<\/strong> stand side by side with IG Hemp Switzerland<\/strong> – and support their position paper. Together, we want to help ensure that cannabis is regulated fairly, sustainably and safely in Switzerland. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Sources : <\/h2>\n\n

IG Hemp position paper on cannabis regulation – IG Hemp Switzerland<\/a> Position on the THC content of cannabis products – IG Hanf Schweiz<\/a>Di Forti et al. (2019), The Lancet Psychiatry<\/em> <\/a>Swiss Addiction Panorama 2023<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The IG Hemp writes: “The reality of the black market in cannabis today undermines the central objectives of the four-pillar policy: the protection of minors cannot be enforced, product quality and product information are not guaranteed, and users are exposed to unnecessary health risks.” We agree: only regulated specialist stores with a clearly defined mission […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1147,"featured_media":70078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[600,555,198,554],"tags":[221,1305,304],"class_list":["post-70066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-background","category-consumer-protection","category-news-en","category-politics","tag-cbd-en","tag-high-quality-cbd-flowers-from-switzerland","tag-knowledge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1147"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70066"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70066\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72314,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70066\/revisions\/72314"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbadiberna.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}