One year after opening a point of sale, the first results of the study are positive according to the municipality. 1,200 adults who already used cannabis would have purchased legal cannabis.
The positive Cann-L project
In November, for example, more than 10 kg of cannabis were sold, already almost 15% of the volume consumed in Lausanne. This represents the annual equivalent of one million francs of market share which thus escapes illegal trade.
“After a year, we have reached 1,200 people who now consume controlled products and who benefit from advice on their consumption. In November, more than 10 kg of cannabis were sold, already almost 15% of the volume consumed in Lausanne.
rejoices Émilie Moeschler, municipal councilor in charge of sports and social cohesion. “This represents the annual equivalent of one million francs of market share that escapes illegal trade. Furthermore, so far no incident linked to Cann-L has been reported to me.
reported by the police” adds Pierre-Antoine Hildbrand, municipal councilor in charge of security and the economy.
Encouraging results
The Cann-L point of sale opened on December 11, 2023 at rue du Maupas. The Lausanne participants come from different social and cultural backgrounds. They are aged from 18 to 80 years old (average 37 years old). The majority are men (77%) and generally
in employment (67%) or training (10%). At the start of the project, 70% of people had been using cannabis for more than 10 years and more than half did it every day or almost.
Based on questionnaires completed after 6 months by 810 people, the first results of the study are encouraging in terms of risk reduction. The average quantity of cannabis consumed remains stable and more than a quarter of products sold in
of herbs/flowers have a THC level of less than 10%, which is significantly lower than the illegal market. In addition, there is an increase in the number of people who vaporize cannabis, which reduces the risks associated with smoke and tobacco. Finally, 38 people took
spontaneously contact the referring doctor at the CHUV for advice or help. These results are linked to the information and awareness work carried out by the sales team. The study also indicates high satisfaction with staff.
Diversified and controlled products
The point of sale offers a range of products grown locally on organic farms. “On the black market, people often do not know what they are consuming and it is therefore difficult for them to make choices to protect their health. Cann-L allows this, through
quality controls and advice, but also through products with differentiated THC levels,” explains Frank Zobel, deputy director of Addiction Suisse, who leads the scientific aspect of the project. A group of experts (toxicologists, doctors, etc.) on the safety of
products has also been implemented and Cann-L is supporting a study initiated by the Bernese pilot project on the safety of future e-liquids with THC.
A viable economic model
The Cann-L pilot test implements a regulated, non-profit sales model, as already exists in other areas (lotteries, transport). The point of sale has already been self-financing since March. “Future profits generated by the point of sale will be used
for projects in the areas of risk reduction, monitoring of participants, prevention and security” recalls Émilie Moeschler.
Collaborations with the canton and the Confederation
The Canton of Vaud, which co-finances the scientific part of the project, has set up a pilot test control commission on which the main health and public safety authorities sit. Its members have carried out visits to Cann-L and are regularly informed of the progress of the project. The OFSP, which supervises all Swiss pilot projects, requires anonymized data for the national study which will make it possible to compare the results of the models implemented across the country.
“We are now waiting to see how the results of Cann-L compare with those of other Swiss pilot projects. Our objective is in fact to support the ongoing discussions in Bern on cannabis policy,” recalls Émilie Moeschler.
Registrations which remain open in 2025 and 2026
Cann-L remains accessible to all adults who reside in Lausanne and who already consume cannabis. In order to avoid excessively long waits, new registration slots are now open every two weeks on the Cann-l.ch website. If they are already complete, it
You will simply have to wait for the next slot to open to register.
