Cannabis law in Switzerland (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Cannabis (the non-medical kind with a total THC content of 1.0 per cent or more) is prohibited under federal narcotics law: growing, importing, producing and sale are banned, and consumption is punishable by a fine. Adults caught consuming are normally dealt with by a CHF 100 fixed fine. Medical use is excepted from the ban.

RuleWhat applies
Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adultCriminal offence [1]
Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult⚠ Not yet verified
Growing at homePersonal use by an adultProhibited [1]
Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adultProhibited [1]
Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adultProhibited [2]
Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adultLegal for medical use [1]
VisitorsPersonal use by an adultNot addressed in the source [1]

Notes

  • Art. 19a punishes unauthorised intentional consumption with a fine and also punishes committing an art. 19 offence (which includes possession) for own consumption with a fine, and allows proceedings to be dropped in minor cases. Hemp with a total THC content below 1.0 per cent is not listed as a narcotic in the narcotics list.
  • The 10 g threshold concerns preparing a small amount for own consumption, or handing it over free of charge for simultaneous shared consumption to a person over 18 (BetmG art. 19b). It does not state a general lawful possession limit.
  • Art. 8a allows the Federal Office of Public Health to authorise scientific pilot trials with cannabis; these are exceptions, not a general market.
  • The ordinance sets a CHF 100 fixed fine for unauthorised intentional consumption of cannabis (aged 18 or over; OBG art. 4(2) excludes under-18s from the fixed-fine procedure). The sources read do not distinguish between public and private places.
  • Cannabis is prohibited under art. 8(1)(d) 'insofar as it is not used for medical purposes'. The prescription conditions were not read.
  • The provisions apply to any person; none of them mentions residence or nationality.

Sources

  1. Bundeskanzlei / Fedlex (Bundesrecht): Bundesgesetz über die Betäubungsmittel und die psychotropen Stoffe (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, BetmG), SR 812.121 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundeskanzlei / Fedlex (Bundesrecht): Ordnungsbussenverordnung (OBV), SR 314.11 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

Compare all countries →

General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.