A study that was published in the Journal last month suggests that Switzerland’s pilot adult-use marijuana program has produced some promising results. Addiction. In the study, the researchers define “problematic consumption” if it causes or exacerbates health, social or psychological difficulties – even without dependency in the classic sense.
About 370 people participated in the research, and half of them were able purchase legal cannabis at one of the participating nine pharmacies. The process included counseling for the participants. As a control, the other half continued to consume cannabis from illegal sources. Participants filled out regular questionnaires to report on their cannabis consumption and state of mind.
The study participants that obtained cannabis legally experienced “a significant decrease” in cannabis-related problems, although there were no differences between first group in terms of anxiety or depression in the first 6 months. The control group could buy cannabis from pharmacies after the first six-month period. The 300 study participants who were still participating two years after the start of the research showed a significant improvement in mental health.
The researchers conclude that “public-health-oriented recreational access to cannabis could decrease cannabis use, and cannabis-related harms,” especially for those who also abuse other drugs.
In February of last year, the National Council Social Security and Health Committee passed a federal draft law that allows citizens to buy, grow, consume, and possess cannabis. In Basel, the Weed Care Study was officially launched on January 20, 2023.
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