Which CBD to buy in Switzerland ?
In Switzerland, products containing recreational cannabis with a high THC content are considered drugs. Their production and sale are therefore prohibited. Illegal cannabis is often sold under the table in the form of marijuana (dried cannabis flowers), or resin. It is the THC content that determines whether the product is legal or not. But what about products containing CBD ?
The Swiss Cannabis Law
Switzerland is one of the few European countries where the purchase, possession, and consumption of cannabis is legal. Yes, but only on one condition, that the cannabis products in question contain less than 1% THC. Cannabis products above this level are classified as narcotics under the Federal Law on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Article 19).
If an adult is caught consuming narcotic cannabis, he/she is liable to a fine of CHF 100. However, if the amount of substance is less than 10 grams, the Swiss Confederation does not prosecute, as possession of less than 10 grams was decriminalized.
Indeed, the products consumed must not produce any psychoactive effect. It is interesting to know that only CBD (cannabidiol) is recognized by the Swiss authorities who claim that "CBD can help people relax and relieve pain".
Is it possible to grow cannabis in Switzerland ?
The answer is simple, it is possible to grow cannabis for its flowers, only if it contains less than 1% THC. In this case it is generally hemp, rich in CBD (cannabidiol). In the rest of Europe, a large number of countries still lower the rate to less than 0.2%. So be careful when buying CBD products in Switzerland, if you have to travel to one of these countries.
Is CBD legal ?
The answer is obviously yes, since CBD is not subject to the law on drugs. Thus all CBD products, oil, flowers, gums, etc. are allowed to be purchased in stores or delivered, under the strict condition of containing less than 1% THC.
The sale of CBD products remains regulated, they belong to the category of food products and must therefore comply with certain regulations, in addition to the THC content.
The cultivation of hemp in Switzerland
Hemp can be cultivated in Switzerland, as in other European countries, including France. In order to be allowed to cultivate hemp, the farmer will have to obtain a license authorizing him to put his seeds in culture. He will also have to have his products tested so that they do not have a THC level higher than the one foreseen by the Swiss law.
Industrial hemp is a plant selected for its low THC content and its high CBD (cannabidiol) concentration, but its use is not limited to CBD oil, smoking flowers or chewing gum. Hemp has a multitude of uses, notably thanks to its high quality fibers, which can be used to weave clothes, ropes, make paper, feed animals, or make non-polluting insulation, etc. It can be grown indoors, outdoors or in green houses, depending on the needs and the demand of the shops. The mode of culture can have an influence on the quality of the flowers, and by extension on the nature of the products with CBD.
Why consume CBD ?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a substance naturally present in hemp. Far from the use of recreational cannabis rich in THC, quality CBD oil has virtues for good health. Some people use it to treat various symptoms.
CBD & inflammation
Several studies have shown that CBD has naturally strong anti-inflammatory effects. These effects are highly sought after by people suffering from localized or generalized inflammation because they help manage muscle or joint pain.
CBD & pain
A study published in 2019, reports on the pain relieving properties of cannabidiol. The CBD, has shown to be as effective as a conventional painkiller to treat pain in the short term. The molecule has virtues against all forms of pain.
CBD & anxiety, stress
In 2013, a study on 48 patients suffering from anxiety disorders has highlighted the anxiolytic effects of CBD, even at low doses.
Cannabidiol helps to fight against anxiety, and states of stress. Scientists believe that it could also help fight against post-traumatic stress, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
And many others, to discover in our articles.
Our advice to buy quality CBD in Switzerland
You want to buy CBD in Switzerland, but you hesitate between different products (CBD oil, flowers, gums, etc.), but also the mode of production, indoor, outdoor, or greenhouse? A purchase in store, or in delivery? A nice promo, with an attractive price? It is sometimes difficult to find your way around, so here are our tips:
Learn about the origin of hemp
CBD is derived from the flowers of industrial hemp. If you want to buy the best CBD, find out where the plant comes from:
- In which country is it produced ? Depending on the cultivation code, certain phytosanitary products may or may not be allowed.
- What is the quality of the soil in which the plant is grown ? If the soil is rich in nutrients, then hemp will be able to produce beautiful flowers rich in CBD.
- Is it organic ? Hemp is a soil purifier, so it is important that the products that might be used during the growth of the plant are organic, so as not to pollute the plant, and the soil.
Learn about the extraction process
Before being displayed in the window of your shop, or on the internet page of an online delivery store, your CBD oils have undergone a few manufacturing steps on which the quality of the product greatly depends, one of the most critical being the extraction method. There are 3, more or less virtuous.
- The extraction of CBD by vegetable oil: CBD is extracted from flowers thanks to a vegetable oil hemp oil, olive oil, sesame oil. The CBD will thus be able to benefit from the nutritive properties of each of these oils. Unfortunately this method is not very effective, and the product obtained remains relatively poor in CBD.
- The extraction by solvent : Without any doubt the least expensive method to extract CBD from a flower, but it is well there its unique quality. Solvent extraction (isopropyl alcohol, propane, butane, ethanol), often leaves traces in the finished product, this oil is not recommended for purchase.Extraction with supercritical CO2 : This method is much more expensive and has been used since the early eighties in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to extract certain molecules from plants. It allows to isolate, and to take with an unequalled precision, the desired molecule(s) by keeping all the properties which is its own. The extraction temperature being low, the molecules sensitive to heat such as phytocannabinoids (CBD, CBG, etc.), and terpenes are preserved. The quality of the oil obtained by this process is strongly superior to the others, because the product is perfectly pure. This is the only method we recommend.
Choose a broad spectrum product
Today, in Switzerland, in France, and everywhere in Europe, you can find a multitude of CBD oils, gums, balms or creams. The stores are not lacking in ideas, and when buying, it is sometimes difficult to make a choice in front of all these items. Don't fall into the trap of buying a discounted product for a few CHF. Be attentive, and always look if your CBD oil is well with broad spectrum, you will then be able to benefit from the effect of entourage. Known in herbal medicine, the entourage effect refers to the synergy of all the elements contained in the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa), the cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN, etc.), but also the terpenes and flavonoids. This set working together for better therapeutic effects.
With all these tips you are ready to buy the right CBD oil product in Switzerland. As a reminder, when you buy by delivery or in a store, be sure to check :
- The amount in Mg of CBD per daily serving
- The origin of the hemp or flowers (Switzerland, France, USA)
- The nature, organic or not
- The quality guarantees
- The extraction method
- Is the oil broad spectrum or not