CBD: safety and the legal position in Switzerland

CBD (cannabidiol) is legally available in Switzerland, yet it often raises questions about its use, about driving, about age restrictions and about its legal position.

On this page you will find the most important information in concise and understandable form, focused specifically on the situation in Switzerland – without myths and without exaggerated promises.

Is CBD legal in Switzerland?

Hemp with a total THC content below 1.0 % does not fall under the Narcotics Act in Switzerland. That is only half the answer, though: whether a particular product may be sold also depends on the product category it falls into.

Depending on the intended use, different rules apply, among them for:

• plant-based smoking products as well as e-cigarettes and their liquids (Tobacco Products Act, since 1 October 2024)
• cosmetic products
• utility articles

They do not automatically count as medicinal products.

What matters is compliance with the statutory THC limit. Reputable suppliers have their products tested regularly by independent laboratories and declare the ingredients transparently.

May you drive after taking CBD?

CBD itself does not have an intoxicating effect. Even small amounts of THC in the body can be a problem, however.

The following applies on Swiss roads:

• what is prohibited is not consumption, but driving while unfit to drive
• from a THC level of 1.5 µg/L in the blood you are deemed unfit to drive
• even legal CBD products can contain small traces of THC

Recommendation: you should not drive a vehicle after taking CBD, especially if you use it regularly.

CBD and alcohol – is the combination permitted?

Combining CBD and alcohol is not expressly prohibited by law. How the combination acts has not been sufficiently studied, so we do not name effects we cannot substantiate.

As a matter of principle, CBD and alcohol should not be combined before driving.

CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding

For pregnancy and breastfeeding, the following applies:

• there are currently no sufficient scientific studies
• no official recommendations exist
• possible risks cannot be ruled out

As a precaution, it is recommended not to use CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Age restriction for CBD in Switzerland

Since 1 October 2024, a statutory minimum age of 18 applies to CBD flowers, CBD vapes and liquids. The basis is the Tobacco Products Act, which covers plant-based smoking products as well as e-cigarettes and their refills.

It follows that:

• supplying minors is prohibited
• this applies to all sales channels, including online trade

For CBD products outside this act – oils or cosmetics, for instance – the age limit does not follow from the Tobacco Products Act.

Consuming CBD in public – permitted or not?

In principle, CBD may be consumed as long as no other legal provisions are breached.

The following points deserve particular attention:

• smoking bans in public spaces
• possible confusion with cannabis containing THC
• possible police checks

Recommendation: being discreet in public can prevent misunderstandings.

Is CBD classified as a medicinal product?

No, not automatically. What matters is the intended purpose – that is, what the product is held out to do.

A product becomes a medicinal product as soon as:

• it is promoted as having a medical effect
• or its presentation suggests a therapeutic use

Such a product may not be placed on the market without authorisation from Swissmedic. The authorisation therefore does not make the medicinal product – it is the precondition for being allowed to sell one. Reputable suppliers therefore deliberately refrain from making medical claims.

THC limits and drug tests

The following values apply in Switzerland:

• statutory limit in the product: below 1.0 % THC
• road traffic: from 1.5 µg/L THC in the blood you are deemed unfit to drive

Even with legal CBD products, a drug test can come out positive if traces of THC are present.

What should you look out for with CBD in Switzerland?

When buying CBD products, it is worth paying attention to the following points:

• Swiss or EU laboratory analyses
• a transparent THC content
• a clear product declaration
• no medical claims of a cure

Quality, transparency and legal compliance are what count.

Frequently asked questions

Is CBD legal in Switzerland?

Hemp with a THC content below 1.0 % does not fall under the Narcotics Act. Whether a particular product may be sold also depends on its product category.

May I drive after taking CBD?

What is prohibited is driving while unfit to drive, not consumption. Because even legal products can contain traces of THC, driving after taking it is risky and not recommended.

Is CBD a medicinal product?

Not automatically. What matters is the intended purpose: if a product is promoted as having a medical effect, it counts as a medicinal product and may not be sold without authorisation from Swissmedic. That is why we give no information on effects or dosage.

Is there an age restriction?

Yes. Since 1 October 2024, a statutory minimum age of 18 applies to CBD flowers, vapes and liquids (Tobacco Products Act).

Can CBD show up in drug tests?

Yes. If a product contains traces of THC, a drug test can come out positive.