Cannabis Possession Limits in Switzerland

The headline rule: 10 grams and CHF 100

Since 1 October 2013, Swiss federal law has treated possession of a small quantity of cannabis by an adult as an administrative matter rather than a criminal offense. Article 19b of the Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, BetmG / Loi sur les stupéfiants, LStup; SR 812.121) defines a 'minor quantity' for personal use, and the Federal Council set this at 10 grams for cannabis ^[1][2].

If you are 18 or older and police find you with up to 10 g of cannabis containing more than 1% THC, the standard response is a fixed-penalty fine of CHF 100 under Article 28b BetmG Strong evidence^[1]. There is no criminal record entry for the fine itself. However:

• The 10 g threshold is the amount carried, not a daily allowance.
• Consuming in public can still be fined separately under cantonal or municipal rules.
• Sharing, gifting, or selling — even small amounts — is not covered by the fine regime and remains a criminal offense.
• Minors (under 18) are not eligible for the fixed fine and are referred to youth protection procedures.

This is not legal advice. Enforcement varies significantly by canton and even by city.

What 'legal' actually means: the 1% THC line

Switzerland is unusual in Europe for having a relatively high THC threshold defining what counts as a 'narcotic.' Cannabis products containing less than 1.0% total THC are not narcotics under Swiss law and can be legally produced, sold, and possessed by adults ^[3]. This is the legal basis for the country's large CBD flower market — products that look and smell like cannabis but stay under the threshold.

Anything at or above 1% total THC is a controlled narcotic. Buying, selling, cultivating for sale, or transporting such cannabis remains illegal under Articles 19 and 19a BetmG, with possession for personal use carved out only by the small-quantity rule above ^[1].

Note: total THC means THC + THCA converted to its acid-adjusted equivalent. Lab testing methods matter, and products near the line have been seized when retests pushed them over.

Pilot programs: the legal grey-to-green zone

In May 2021, the Swiss Parliament amended the Narcotics Act to authorize time-limited scientific pilot trials of regulated cannabis sales to adults ^[4]. The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG / OFSP) approves each study. As of mid-2024, trials are running or launching in cities including Basel (Weed Care), Zurich (Züri Can), Bern, Lausanne, and Geneva ^[5][6].

Key features common to the trials:

• Participants must be adult residents of the host city and already cannabis consumers.
• They register, consent to data collection, and buy from designated pharmacies, social clubs, or dispensaries.
• Products are Swiss-grown, lab-tested, and labeled with THC/CBD content.
• Purchase caps are typically around 10 g per visit and capped monthly (varies by trial).
• Resale or supply to non-participants remains illegal.

The pilots are limited to seven years maximum and are designed to generate evidence for a possible future national regulation. They do not legalize cannabis for the general public Strong evidence^[4].

Cultivation, sharing, and driving

Home cultivation: Growing cannabis with more than 1% THC is illegal regardless of quantity. There is no Swiss equivalent of the German or Maltese personal-grow allowance as of mid-2024 ^[1]. CBD plants under 1% THC are legal to cultivate, though commercial growers must register.

Sharing and social supply: Passing a joint is technically transfer of a narcotic. In practice, prosecutors often treat very small social sharing leniently, but the legal exposure is greater than possession alone Weak / limited.

Driving: Switzerland enforces a zero-tolerance approach. A blood THC concentration of 1.5 µg/L or higher triggers a driving-under-the-influence offense under the Road Traffic Act and Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) regulations ^[7]. This level can be reached days after last use for regular consumers. Penalties include license suspension and fines.

Cantonal variation and practical reality

Federal law sets the framework, but cantons and municipalities handle enforcement. Some cantons (notably Zurich, Bern, Basel-Stadt, Geneva) have historically taken a lower-priority approach to small possession; others (parts of central and eastern Switzerland) are stricter Weak / limited^[5]. The CHF 100 fine is uniform, but discretion about when to issue it is not.

Tourists should be aware:

• The fine still applies to non-residents.
• Pilot program participation is restricted to local registered residents.
• Crossing borders into Switzerland with cannabis — even legally purchased elsewhere — is import of a narcotic and is treated more seriously than domestic possession.

What's changing and what to watch

A Federal Commission for Addiction Issues sub-commission and several parliamentary initiatives have proposed moving toward national regulated access after the pilots conclude. A draft framework for regulated cannabis was opened for consultation by a National Council subcommittee in 2023–2024 ^[6]. Whether this becomes law depends on political process and likely a public referendum.

Until then, the practical summary for adults in Switzerland is: up to 10 g of high-THC cannabis = CHF 100 fine; CBD under 1% THC = legal retail; pilot cities = regulated access for the registered only.

This article is informational, not legal advice. Laws change. Verify current rules with the Federal Office of Public Health (bag.admin.ch) or a qualified Swiss lawyer before relying on anything here. Last verified: 15 June 2024.

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