Cannabis Regulation in Switzerland Is Economically Inefficient

The cannabis market in Switzerland generates a turnover of around one billion francs per year. But, according to a Geneva study, the current regulations produce “a very inefficient result from an economic point of view.”

Switzerland has banned cannabis since 1951. In seventy years, attempts to relax or tighten regulations have been made repeatedly, so far largely unsuccessful, the University of Geneva (UNIGE) said on Monday in a statement.

For more news like this, download our free cannabis news app.

Switzerland to Commission a Study

The Federal Office of Public Health, the cantons of Geneva and Basel-City, and the cities of Bern and Zurich have therefore commissioned a study that adopts an economic perspective.

Developed by the UNIGE Department of Sociology and the consulting firm EBP, this research estimates the turnover generated in Switzerland for the entire cannabis system at one billion francs per year.

This figure includes the direct effects of the cannabis market, health services, police, justice and enforcement of sentences, and the indirect economic impact triggered throughout the Swiss economy.

The Swiss Consume 750,000 Joints per Day

According to estimates, Swiss men and women consume about 56 tons of cannabis each year. This amount corresponds to approximately 750,000 joints per day.

These figures put the Swiss market at an estimated value of 582 million francs in the annual turnover per year in both production and sales. 

Adding It All Up

On top of this 582 million francs figure, according to the study, are the following additional annual turnovers:

• 14 million francs in the administration of justice
• 9 million francs in case law
• 34 million francs in policing
• 22 million francs in healthcare

If we also take into account the indirect effects due to prior services and the income generated, the annual turnover is even higher:

• 843 million francs in the cannabis market itself
• 44 million francs in the health sector
• 71 million francs in the police
• 18 million francs in justice
• 23 million francs in the execution of sentences

Swiss Cannabis Economy Varies Depending on the Model

The study shows that if Switzerland applied an alternative form of regulation, the economic effects of the cannabis market would change in the medium term.

For example, legalizing the consumption and possession of the drug for personal use, combined with the legalization of non-commercial community production (“Cannabis Social Club” scenario), would reduce turnover to 650 million francs.

In a “Free Market” scenario, turnover would fall even further, to just 200 million francs. And a market strongly regulated and organized by the private economy would reach approximately 275 million francs.

Switzerland Could Offset Declines Through Increased Tax Revenues

While particular cannabis models would lead to a decline in the cannabis market, Switzerland would offset this with additional tax revenues.

While the status quo, without a legal market or product-specific taxation, generates tax revenue of approximately 25 million francs, the “Cannabis Social Club” scenario could generate tax revenue of roughly 166 million francs. The “Heavily regulated” scheme would increase tax revenues by 464 million francs. And the “Free market” scenario (only VAT) by 11 million francs.

Results of the Study Are Clear

For Oliver Hoff, associate researcher at UNIGE and author of the study, “the simulations show that the current regulations produce a very inefficient result for Switzerland from an economic point of view.”

“Artificially high margins mainly benefit players operating illegally, and consumers suffer from a lack of transparency and product quality,” he points out. Moreover, Switzerland has no access to the market in terms of regulation, taxation, and health policy.

UNIGE has published the study in its “Sociograph – Sociological Research Studies” series.

—

(Featured image by Robert Stokoe via Pexels)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published by Le Temps, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.