Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Most CBD cannabis products fail to meet standards, say Swiss chemists

advert for CBD products
Legal CBD products must have less than 1% THC - the active ingredient that gets smokers high. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

In Switzerland, the vast majority of products sold containing the cannabis extract cannabidiol (CBD) do not meet legal requirements, according to the Swiss Association of Cantonal Chemists.

Sellers of foodstuffs carrying the CBD label do not fulfil their legal obligations to self-monitor, or do so only to a very limited extent, the food safety oversight body said on Tuesday, describing the situation as “disastrous”.

Out of 100 products analysed by the association, 85 were found to be non-compliant and 73 were banned from sale. The sales bans mainly concerned CBD oils (43 banned out of 46 analysed). The amount of the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) they contained was found to be too high, or unauthorised hemp extracts were used.

In addition to CBD oils, the cantonal chemists analysed dietary supplements, hemp infusions, chewing gum and chocolate as part of a national campaign.

They checked whether the legal requirements for their marketing were met, such as composition and THC content.

Legal cannabis has become a flourishing business in Switzerland, which changed its laws in 2011 to let adults buy and use cannabis with up to 1% THC – the active ingredient that gets smokers high. It is used alongside another active ingredient, cannabidiol (CBD), in a growing range of cannabis-related products.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

ChatGPT-related firm opens Zurich office

More

OpenAI to set up new office in Switzerland

This content was published on OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, says it intends to open an office in Zurich. The move is part of its European expansion plan, after setting up offices in London, Paris, Brussels and Dublin.

Read more: OpenAI to set up new office in Switzerland
OECD raises growth forecast for Swiss economy slightly

More

OECD raises growth forecast for Swiss economy

This content was published on The Swiss economy is growing slightly faster than expected, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Read more: OECD raises growth forecast for Swiss economy
The National Council cuts funding for Swiss aid abroad

More

Swiss parliament cuts foreign aid budget

This content was published on The House of Representatives on Wednesday cut the foreign aid budget by CHF250 million ($282 million) in favour of the army.

Read more: Swiss parliament cuts foreign aid budget
Farmers' movement emphasizes demands with protest in Bern

More

Swiss farmers protest over prices and bureaucracy

This content was published on Around 1,000 Swiss farmers took part in a protest action near Bern on Tuesday, calling for less administrative work, more planning security and fairer prices.

Read more: Swiss farmers protest over prices and bureaucracy
Syrian opposition fighters stand on a seized Syrian army armoured vehicle on the outskirts of Hama, Syria, 3, December 2024.

More

Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria

This content was published on The Swiss foreign ministry has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, it declared via the social media platform X on Tuesday.

Read more: Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR