Is CBD legal in Switzerland & Where to Buy it

Here are our key findings

• CBD products derived from industrial hemp that contain less than 1% THC, are legal in Switzerland for adults aged 18 and over.
• Edibles, gummies, and beverages are legal provided they comply with strict labeling standards.
• E-liquids and cosmetics containing CBD are also legal if they meet the standards outlined in the Federal Nutrition and Utility Products Act and follow other relevant rules.
• Cannabis flower that is intended for smoking, and contains less than 1% THC, is also legal.

Switzerland is known informally as one of the CBD hubs of Europe, and for good reason. The Alpine country has embraced CBD, and diverse CBD formulations are widely available throughout the nation. High-end CBD and hemp stores are quickly emerging in major Swiss cities like Geneva, Basel, and Zurich, stocking products from both Switzerland and abroad.

According to the current regulatory framework in Switzerland, consumers can purchase CBD and other cannabinoid products, as long as the THC level remains below 1%. However, there are still comprehensive regulations controlling the sale of these products. Different products are subject to different rules, with medical products, ingestible products, utility products (like cosmetics, tinctures, and vape liquids) falling under distinct Swiss regulations.

In this Leafreport guide, we’ll offer you insights into some of the best CBD brands that currently ship to Switzerland. We’ll also explore the legislation that regulates the sale of various kinds of CBD products and give expert tips on how to shop for CBD, both in store and online.

Is CBD oil legal in Switzerland?

Switzerland legally allows the retail of CBD and cannabis products to those aged 18 and over, on the condition that the THC level is below 1%. Hemp cultivation is also legal if the crop contains no more than 1% THC. The personal use of cannabis has also been decriminalized in Switzerland.

Thanks to this liberal framework, Switzerland’s CBD industry is blossoming. Hemp farms are popping up and Swiss CBD companies are also rapidly emerging and making their mark on the local industry. However, it’s vital to note that CBD products must meet the regulatory requirements relevant to their designated category. Medical products, ingestible products, cosmetic products, and liquids are subject to different rules.

CBD products that are intended to have a medicinal or therapeutic effect are considered medical products, and must receive governmental authorization before they can hit shop shelves. These products may only be sold at pharmacies, or by medical experts.

CBD products that can be ingested, such as hemp tea, CBD edibles, or CBD beverages, are generally subject to the Federal Nutrition and Utility Products Act. Some of these products must receive authorization from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office before they can be sold, particularly products that qualify as novel food. The novel food designation refers to the Novel Food Catalogue released by the European Commission in 2019. Cannabis extracts and derived products containing cannabinoids (like CBD) are considered novel foods.

CBD tinctures, cosmetics, raw hemp flower, and CBD liquids (for electronic cigarettes) are considered utility items. These utility products do not need authorization from the Swiss government to be sold. However, they do need to be safe and comply with the Federal Nutrition and Utility Products Act.

Cosmetics must additionally follow a specific rule: the product needs to clearly display that it was produced using the seeds or leaves of the hemp plant, unless the resin was extracted from the buds. This restriction is based on the reasoning that the buds contain a higher concentration of THC.

Cannabis flower that contains less than 1% THC can also be legally sold and consumed.

The best CBD products in Switzerland

Switzerland is a proud producer of hemp and CBD, which is often organic and very high quality. However, some of the most reputable CBD products available to Swiss consumers are formulated by overseas brands that ship to the region. Swedish buyers can order online and choose from a range of full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate products.

Using our Leafreport rating system, we’ve selected our pick of the top five CBD brands available to Swiss consumers. Each brand is described below.

Here’s the criteria we use to assess CBD brands:

Leafreport’s scoring categories

The Leafreport rating system evaluates each brand according to the five categories listed below. We add the scores across these criteria to arrive at a total score out of 100.

• Transparency, Accuracy & Reputation evaluates the brand’s reputation, customer reviews, and whether the company is open about their hemp cultivation and manufacturing processes. We also check if the brand undertakes third-party purity and potency testing, and if the results of these tests are shared on their website.
• Hemp quality checks if the hemp from which the CBD is extracted is non-GMO, certified organic, or farmed according to sustainable practices. We’re particularly interested in learning about where the hemp is cultivated and how it is processed.
• Product variety assesses the range of products on offer, and if there is a selection of different potencies, flavors, or formats available.
• Customer experience explores if it’s easy for consumers to find out about the company’s products, ask questions, make a purchase and how quickly the package arrives. We also check whether there are educational resources supplied about CBD in general.
• Price and discounts analyze if consumers are receiving value for money. We’ve averaged the price per milligram of CBD across all CBD brands to compare the brand’s price point against the industry as a whole. We also check if there are any special savings or discounts available for veterans, monthly subscriptions, or bulk orders.

Lazarus Naturals

Lazarus Naturals was founded in 2014 with a vision of creating a ‘farm-to-front door’ CBD company with CBD products grown, manufactured, and packaged by one company.The brand publishes all their third-party CoA (Certificate of Analysis) potency and purity tests, and the results are easily available on the website.

Lazarus Naturals recently earned USDA Organic Certification for its hemp, and ensures that its Oregon crops are cultivated according to sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices.

The brand offers a diverse array of delivery methods and potencies. Their current product selection includes tinctures, topicals, capsules, RSO (the famous Rick Simpson Oil), pet products, edibles, bulk isolate, and a limited edition range.

The Lazarus Naturals website is extremely user-friendly. The layout is clear, navigating products feels intuitive, and it’s easy to find information, such as the certificates of analysis. The website also has an abundance of educational resources available for consumers who are curious to learn more about CBD. Lazarus also offers free shipping on purchases $50 and above.

Lazarus Naturals boasts a very competitive price point, averaging 3 to 4 cents per milligram of CBD, which is an “A” price rating according to the Leaferport pricing model. This is significantly more affordable than other well-known, reputable CBD brands that are also certified organic.

Lazarus Naturals is an Oregon-based CBD brand that ships all over the globe, including Switzerland. The brand started out small, selling their handmade CBD products at farmers’ markets, before becoming one of the best-known brands in the industry. One of the most unique features of Lazarus is that the brand follows a “farm-to-front door” model, which means that every aspect, from the hemp cultivation to the final packaging, is overseen by the company itself. As Lazarus Naturals state on their website, their commitment to this model ensures full transparency with consumers, and also allows them to make sure that all products adhere to their standards of quality, potency and consistency. To further bolster transparency, Lazarus products are subjected to third-party purity and potency testing. The brand also supports local social justice initiatives in Oregon, and offers considerable discounts to veterans, individuals with long-term disabilities, and low-income households.

If there are any drawbacks associated with Lazarus at present, it’s that consumers aren’t offered a money-back guarantee. Nonetheless, the Lazarus Naturals website states that it will settle any issues and provide refunds on a case-by-case basis. Customer reviews suggest that most buyers are very happy with their purchases.

R+R Medicinals CBD

It’s easy to find the third-party CoA (Certificates of Analysis) on the R+R website. The brand has a very good reputation, with more than 600 reviews on Google and an average rating of five stars.

R+R Medicinals uses a proprietary ‘cherry’ strain of USDA certified organic hemp. The brand achieved USDA organic certification in 2019, and has also achieved US Hemp Authority certification, which means that their farming practices have been certified for safety, authenticity and legitimacy.

R+R Medicinals offers full-spectrum topicals, gummies, tinctures, softgels and pet products. For Swiss consumers looking to avoid THC completely, there’s also a THC-free line on offer.

It’s super easy to find your way around the R+R website, and it’s also visually engaging. If you’re interested in learning more about CBD, R+R’s website offers a range of educational resources, along with a handy glossary. The website also has a live chat option so you can ask questions as you browse.

R+R Medicinals products are priced very competitively. Tinctures average $0.03 per milligram while gummies average $0.09 per milligram: considerably cheaper than competitive brands, especially considering the hemp is USDA certified organic.

R+R Medicinals is a Colorado-based CBD brand that ships all over Europe, including Switzerland. The brand is quickly becoming one of the most reputable CBD brands on the market with products made using unique hemp cultivars that are also organic. R+R offers a very select range of products, but these cover the main delivery methods, and are available in full-spectrum and THC-free options. All products are formulated using CBD that has been processed using supercritical CO2 extraction, a gold-standard extraction method in the industry. Certificates of analysis are available on the lab results page. Each product is tested for potency, terpene profile, microbes, heavy metals, residual solvents and pesticides.

The brand’s transparency and commitment to consumer satisfaction is commendable: consumers who are unhappy with their purchase are invited to try another product at no cost, or return the product for a full refund within thirty days.

If there are any drawbacks associated with R+R Medicinals, it’s that there is a lack of information about the team behind the brand, and the mission driving R+R. The product range is also somewhat limited. Swiss consumers who enjoy different flavors, potencies, and product offerings might find the R+R range somewhat sparse.

Leafwell Botanicals

Leafwell publishes potency and purity tests from independent third-party testing laboratories. When Leafreport placed an order, we found that the potency tests showed that the products fell well within the 10% variance range permitted. Their products also passed all standard purity testing for residuals, solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

Leafwell uses hemp farmed with organic practices to formulate its CBD products, and also claims to use organic, natural products in its formulations. It does not, however, have USDA organic certification.

Leafwell has some unique CBD products in its range, such as its CBD-infused peanut butter. The brand has a diverse range of tinctures, softgels, topicals and pet products. The products are also helpfully separated into full-spectrum and broad-spectrum categories.

The brand offers its customers a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee. The website has plentiful educational resources that enable curious consumers to learn more about CBD and its uses.

Leafwell’s product prices average $.07 per milligram of CBD, which makes their prices significantly lower than comparable organic brands. There are also discounts available for first-time buyers.

Leafwell Botanicals has a fascinating backstory. On the website, the founders emphasize that they aim to enhance wellness by creating high quality CBD formulations for both humans and animals. Founder Luis Gamardo recalls how CBD helped him to navigate a personal experience with lymphoma. Gamardo also explains that he witnessed firsthand how CBD assisted shelter animals, by helping them relax. The Colorado-based CBD brand now ships to all over the globe, including Switzerland. Leafwell stands out from competition with its carefully curated product offering. Edible products are wholesome and natural (peanut butter and salted almonds); the pet tinctures are available for different-sized pets; and the tinctures for humans come in a range of potencies. Those looking for a topical CBD product will appreciate that the formulations are both full-spectrum and broad spectrum, with essential oil infusions such as lavender and menthol.

If there is one area where Leafwell is currently falling short, it’s that the company doesn’t provide information about its CBD extraction technique.The website states that they “utilize a total extraction process carefully designed to best preserve the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds”–but it doesn’t state what this process is. As some extraction techniques yield a superior, safer product than others, it’s vital that detail about this is given.

Medterra CBD

Medterra boasts a significant level of expertise behind its product research and development. The brand has a medical advisory board consisting of doctors, a pharmacist, and veterinarians.

Medterra uses non-GMO hemp and has been certified by the US Hemp Authority, which means that the hemp is cultivated according to strict guidelines ensuring its quality and purity. However, the hemp isn’t certified organic.

Medterra covers all the major CBD delivery methods, including gummies, capsules, tinctures, topicals, and pet products. Within these categories, however, the selection is somewhat limited. The tinctures category, for example, only contains two product options.

Medterra has organized its website in an intuitive, straightforward way. Consumers can shop for products by delivery method, by spectrum formulation, or according to the benefits you’re seeking. Some of the therapeutic categories include relaxation, focus, and sleep.

Medterra’s pricing is reasonable compared with competitors. Tinctures range from $0.04 to $0.07 per milligram of CBD, while capsules range from $0.05 to $0.07 per milligram. This places their pricing just below average. Discounts are available if you purchase a bundle.

Medterra CBD ships to countries all over the globe, including Switzerland. The Californian-based brand is regarded as a leader in the industry and has garnered a reputation with great customer reviews, including more than 8000 5-star reviews on their website. The brand upholds high standards for its CBD products, subjecting them to testing from

independent third-party labs. These test certificates are available on the website, or accessible via a QR code on the product label. When Leafreport made an order, the certificates of analysis showed that the CBD potency was always within an acceptable variance and the products were free from pesticides, solvents, and other contaminants. Medterra’s website offers some educational content for those new to the world of CBD, such as a page labeled “CBD Dos and Don’ts”. The brand is also working alongside Baylor College to develop new and more effective CBD formulations.

When it comes to drawbacks, there are several areas the brand could improve on.

The website can be somewhat overwhelming to navigate due to the high volume of content and reviews on the product pages. There’s also very little detail supplied about the farms where the hemp is grown and how it is grown. Swiss consumers interested in product provenance may be discouraged by this.

Naturecan

It’s easy to find information on the team behind Naturecan. The sheer number of individuals working for the brand is evidence of its global reach. The brand also states that every finished product is tested seven times to ensure its safety, purity, and quality.

The website states that all Naturecan CBD is derived from certified organic US-grown hemp cultivated under highly controlled conditions.

Naturecan offers a wide selection of products, including balms, vape liquid, pet products, capsules, skincare and beauty products, and tinctures. Naturecan uses broad-spectrum distillate CBD oil in its range. No products are formulated using isolate or full-spectrum CBD oil. All products are also vegan.

Naturecan offers a wealth of resources for consumers who are interested in learning more about CBD. It’s easy to find your way around the website, which is structured intelligently. There are a number of ways to reach out to representatives with questions or comments.

On the US site, Naturecan’s products average $0.14 per milligram of CBD, which makes them pricier than comparable UK and US brands on the market. The brand offers discounts to students, or those who sign up for a regular subscription.

Naturecan is a truly global CBD brand. The UK-based company ships to more than thirty countries, including Switzerland. All Naturecan hemp is cultivated in the US under organic conditions. The hemp is then subjected to three extraction processes: CO2 extraction, chromatography, and distillation. The end product is a broad-spectrum distillate, so the CBD oil is rich in minor cannabinoids and phytochemicals while being free of THC, waxes, lipids, and unwanted compounds that may affect the product’s consistency and flavor.

Naturecan also adheres to some admirable environmental initiatives, such as participating in beach clean-ups, planting trees for each purchase made, donating to the World Land Trust, and maintaining a CO2 neutral website.

If there are any areas Naturecan could improve on, it’s that the website lab testing hub appears incomplete, and is only accessible via the About Us tab. While there’s plentiful information about the seven-stage testing process, the test results for only four products were displayed. However, individual test results are supplied on each product page.

CBD brands that ship to Switzerland

Switzerland is rapidly seeing the growth of home-grown CBD companies. However, for Swiss consumers interested in purchasing CBD from further afield, an array of brands ship to the region. Some of these companies are among the most reputable in the industry.

If you’d like to learn more about any of the brands below, or are interested in reading independent reviews of their products, check out the Leafreport brand search tool.

• Alpinols
• CBDfx
• Chronic Candy
• Cibdol
• Elevate CBD
• Hempland USA
• Hemp Meds
• Irwin Naturals
• Lazaros Naturals
• Leafwell Botanicals
• Made By Hemp
• Max CBD
• Medterra CBD
• Nordic Oil
• Nuleaf Naturals
• Penguin CBD
• Phenopen
• PureKana
• Pure Elix Wellness
• Reakiro
• Root Wellness
• R+R Medicinals
• Smile CBD
• Smilyn
• VerifiedCBD

Where can I purchase CBD in Switzerland?

Unlike many other countries in Europe which limit THC content to 0.2%, Switzerland allows a limit of 1%. This regulation has seen the Alpine country rapidly rise as a CBD destination in Europe. Major Swiss cities have an array of CBD specialty stores, and CBD is also available in kiosks, convenience stores, and even gas stations. Switzerland is also one of the few countries in the world to offer CBD cigarettes.

Among the most iconic CBD speciality shops in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, are Smoking Grasshopper, a CBD sommelier that also moonlights as a coffeshop; Green Passion; Cannaflora; and Heidi’s Garden. Many of these stores stock high-end CBD products derived from Biosuisse-certified Swiss hemp (the Swiss equivalent to USDA certification).

The Swiss CBD shopping scene is unique and definitely worth checking out. Many specialty stores are staffed with experts, and some even carry their own line of CBD (like Heidi’s Garden, for example). Newbies to the world of CBD will likely appreciate the advice and guidance on offer.

On the other hand, online shopping also boasts its own benefits. Online CBD products are often very competitively priced as there are no overheads associated with storefronts. When you shop online, you can take your time reviewing and comparing products, contrasting prices, and assessing the quality of the product.

Checking purity and potency before you purchase a CBD product is critical. The most effective way to assess these characteristics is by verifying if the product has been subjected to independent testing.

Third-party purity tests provide insights into whether the product exceeds harmful levels of contaminants such as microbes, residual solvents, or heavy metals. Third-party potency tests reveal whether the concentration of cannabinoids in the product conform with what is promised on the label, or at least, fall within an accepted variance level of 10%.

These test results are usually published on the website as lab reports or certificates of analysis. Many brands also attach a QR code to the product’s label, which links to the relevant certificate. If you’d like to learn more about how to read a certificate of analysis, take a look at our handy Leafreport guide.

Summary

Switzerland has chosen to deviate from the EU 0.2% THC limit, allowing CBD products and hemp crops that contain up to 1% THC. The country is quickly emerging as a progressive, forward-thinking leader in the CBD industry, with a local market that is thriving.

Swiss consumers are spoilt for choice and can purchase homegrown CBD brands that are also often organic. Buyers can also shop from a range of reputable overseas brands that ship to the Alpine nation.

One thing appears certain: Switzerland’s unique approach to regulating CBD will likely see the country become a leader in the space in the coming years.