Summary
Cannabis products are quite popular in Switzerland. They are considered legal if THC level does not exceed 1.0% per CBD product, which is higher than in most European countries, which set THC limit at 0.2% per product. To ensure high quality of CBD products, Swiss brands gain Bio Suisse certification. There are many CBD stores and cafes in Zürich, where you can try CBD oil, CBD flowers, CBD tea and many other cannabidiol-infused products. These are the top spots:
- – Smoking Grasshopper
- – Green Passion
- – Cannaflora Store Zürich
- – Heidi’s Garden
- – Wholy Rocket – CBD – Cannabis – Hanfladen
- – Biotop
- – Kon-Tiki Coffeeshop & Bar
- – CBD Swiss Cannabis Verkaufspunkt/CBD Shop Zürich | CBD Kaufen Zürich | Headshop Zürich
Introduction
Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland and the country’s capital. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. Zürich is a hub for railways, roads and air traffic. It is also a global centre for banking and finance. The official language of Zürich is German, but the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect is mainly used. The municipality is home to 434,335 inhabitants, the urban area (agglomeration) around 1.315 million, and the Zürich metropolitan area 1.83 million.
Some of Zürich’s most notable tourist spots include its 12th-century cathedral, the Grossmünster; its 11th-century Fraumünster church complete with its characteristic Chagall windows; its Bahnhofstrasse high street lined with high-end shops, the Swiss National Museum and, of course, the beautiful Lake Zürich. For some of the most sublime views you could hope to see, there is also the Uetliberg mountain, from which you can gaze at the city’s skyline, lake and the Alps.
In terms of its cultural calendar, Zürich is host to the annual Theatre Spectacular every summer, which has transformed into one of the most important European festivals for contemporary theatre. The city has also put on the Zürich Film Festival since 2005.
Sporting highlights in Zürich’s event calendar include the “Ironman” Triathlon, the “Weltklasse Zürich” athletics meeting and the “Mercedes-CSI” horse show.
The traditional local “Sechseläuten” and “Knabenschiessen” festivals also take place in Zürich, along with the “Streetparade”, the “Dörfli-Fäscht”, the “Tropical Caliente” Festival, the “Longstreet Carnival”, the “Christopher Street Day” and the “Züri-Fäscht”. The long list of cultural and sporting events is what makes Zürich such an exciting city to visit.
Now that you have a flavour of what Zürich is like to visit, let’s turn our attention to its thriving CBD industry. We will be exploring all the best places to experience the green rush in the Swiss capital, so don’t go anywhere!
Zürich CBD Map
Refresher: What is CBD?
CBD is cannabidiol, a cannabinoid, or naturally-occurring compound taken directly from the cannabis plant. Not just any cannabis plant, though; cannabis Sativa.
Cannabis Sativa is made up of two classifications: hemp and marijuana. Both of these plants contain cannabidiol, in addition to over 100 other cannabinoids. Hemp has naturally higher concentrations of CBD than marijuana does, while marijuana has more of a cannabinoid known as THC. THC, short for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. It is also psychotropic, meaning it induces euphoric, mind-altering effects on its user when taken in high doses.
In any hemp-derived CBD products, such as those we will be discussing shortly, there will only ever be trace amounts of THC – sometimes none at all. In short, no CBD product will ever cause a “high” as recreational marijuana does.
In recent years, the CBD industry has exploded, ushering in hundreds of new CBD brands all wanting to get in on the trend. One reason for its popularity can be attributed to its many therapeutic applications; there are hundreds of clinical trials that point to cannabidiol’s ability to manage various symptoms and boost wellness in a number of ways.
Sadly, even despite the spike in CBD sales, there remains a stigma around this cannabis constituent, because of its association with “stoner culture”, among other things. Hemp often gets clumped with its controversial counterpart, marijuana, meaning its derivatives like CBD have had to suffer the consequences of this stigma until relatively recently. Some countries are further ahead than others in terms of dismantling this stigma, fully acknowledging the wellness benefits of cannabis and adopting CBD into the mainstream. Others have yet to be convinced.
Let’s see where Switzerland positions itself on the matter.
Cannabis laws in Switzerland
The number of cannabis users in Switzerland is believed to be around 500,000 out of a population of 8 million. As in many other countries around the globe, recreational marijuana is illegal in Switzerland, though minor possession was decriminalised to a fine in 2012. In 2016, four cities expressed their intentions to pilot cannabis clubs.
Switzerland places its THC threshold at 1.0% THC per CBD product, which is slightly higher than many of its fellow European countries, which have their THC limit set at 0.2% per product. In Switzerland, any cannabis product that contains more than 1.0% THC, then, is classified as an illegal drug. Thus, according to the Federal Law on Drugs, the production, culture, use and possession of cannabis, are all prohibited. A person found guilty of committing this criminal infringement may face a fine and/or up to three years imprisonment.
Since 2017, legal cannabis, or “low-THC weed”, containing less than 1.0% of THC has been sold at nearly every tobacco store. In terms of medical usage, currently, only one narcotic cannabis drug preparation is officially approved for medical use in Switzerland. Since 2011, though, Swiss physicians can obtain a special permit from the Federal Office of Public Health for their patients, which allows them to prescribe medical cannabis for 12 months. Only two pharmacies in the country are permitted to dispense cannabis tinctures and cannabis oil concentrates for patients with serious or terminal illnesses.
So, to summarise:
- Hemp-derived CBD Oil is legal; providing the THC content does not exceed 1.0%.
- In terms of pharmaceutical cannabis – only Sativex (a drug typically used for MS spasticity, containing a mix of CBD and THC) can be legally prescribed.
- Medical cannabis is legal on a named patient basis.
- Cannabis containing more than 0.2% THC is illegal throughout most European countries however; in Switzerland, 1% is the legal THC limit.
- Low-THC (<1%) cannabis is available at most tobacco stores.
Cannabis is already proving to be a hugely lucrative part of the Swiss economy, with annual sales of legal cannabis as well as hemp products totalling around €87.9m every year in Switzerland. This equates to around 1.5% of the Swiss GDP.
What are Bio Suisse standards?
Many of the hemp and CBD products we see and buy will boast that they are fully compliant with “Bio Suisse standards” – but what does this mean?
Bio Suisse is the chief organisation of organic agriculture in Switzerland. It is an umbrella organisation with a total of 32 organic farmers’ associations among its members, as well as the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL. Importantly, it manages the guidelines of the organic label “Bio Suisse”.
The Bio Suisse standards are based on the Organic Farming Ordinance, (the country’s laws on organic farming) but go beyond the minimum requirements in many ways, such as through plant protection, animal feed, processing and social standards.
It is not just Swiss companies that can comply with these standards, however; operations outside of Switzerland can comply with the necessary standards. Those who wish to supply their products to Switzerland can obtain the Bio Suisse certification.
To gain Bio Suisse certification, a company must have a valid organic certificate equivalent to the Swiss Ordinance on Organic Farming. International Certification Bio Suisse AG (ICB), the subsidiary of Bio Suisse, carries out the certification. The Control Union offers a Bio Suisse inspection, to ensure the hemp is grown in accordance with laws of organic farming equivalent to those in Switzerland.
Bio Suisse verification is a great stamp for a CBD company to have: it is a hallmark of high quality products that emanate from hemp which grew under careful and stringently-regulated conditions. CBD companies that are committed to going above and beyond organic farming may source their hemp from a supplier that has received Bio Suisse certification.
Top spots for CBD in Zürich
Now that we’ve touched on the background of Switzerland’s cannabis laws and regulations, and you’re well-acquainted with what CBD is and where it comes from, it’s time to investigate where is best on the Zürich cannabis scene for you to get your CBD fix!
Smoking Grasshopper – Cannabis Sommelier – CBD Coffeeshop / CBD Shop
Google rating: 4.9 based on 187 reviews
Where to find it: Zähringerstrasse 13, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Smoking Grasshopper is a hub for some of the best quality CBD products and cannabis flowers in Switzerland’s capital. It attracts tourists from far and wide on account of its great service, knowledgeable and welcoming staff and its cosy, warm ambience. Scoring a whopping 4.9 on google, the love for this little shop-stroke-cafe radiates off its 187 praising Google reviews, all of whom commented on the premium quality and reasonable prices of the product range. Some of these products include their CBD oil, buds, wax, topicals and edibles.
According to their customers, you are even welcome to sample whatever you are interested in! And if you thought the perks ended there, you would be wrong; this little pit stop is conveniently located, a mere 8-minute walk from the Grossmünster cathedral and an 8-minute walk from the Kunsthaus art museum. So, whenever you’re in Zürich, make sure you go and hang out at Smoking Grasshopper and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Green Passion Zürich
Google rating: 4.3 based on 107 reviews
Where to find it: Badenerstrasse 249 CH-8003 Zürich
Green Passion was founded in 2016 and is a registered trademark of the CANWAY group of companies, which specialises in the research and development as well as the manufacturing and sale of cannabinoid-containing products. How about that for a trustworthy CBD outlet?
At their specialist store in Lochergut, Badenerstrasse 249, you will find a wide variety of lifestyle products, as well as luxury foods and selected high-quality cosmetics and healthcare products. Not only that, but you will also discover some of the top CBD flowers in the entire capital. Green Passion is the self-proclaimed best in the Swiss CBD market! Their cannabinoid and terpene-containing e-liquids also go down a treat with their customers, as with their hemp-based tea and cannabis seeds.
Need some guidance with your purchase(s)? The competent and helpful team at the shop will gladly advise you on their product range and support you in picking the right product – there is not much they don’t know on the subject of cannabis.
Cannaflora Store Zürich
Google rating: 4.4
Where to find it: Langstrasse 237, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
The Cannaflora store in Zürich is a paradise for cannabis connoisseurs. Among their ensemble of products are CBD cannabis flowers, CBD oil, CBD edibles, smoking accessories, e-cigarettes and vaporisers. One reviewer called this little shop the nicest in town, and that comes as no surprise when you see the pristine white shelves and beautifully-presented array of products on display. Reviewers also praise Cannaflora for its savvy and professional employees and their friendly customer service. If you’re looking for a CBD store that is “equipped with everything a smoker’s heart desires” – look no further. Reviews also seem to indicate that if you’re lucky and you catch this store on a good day, you may even be treated to a little freebie – but don’t quote us on this!
Heidi’s Garden
Google rating: 4.9
Where to find it: Seefeldstrasse 204 – 8008 Zürich – Switzerland
Heidi’s Garden is as cool as their name suggests. They take pride in their Swiss quality standards and artisanal growing practice in Switzerland. In their own words, their 100% organic (BioSuisse certified) Hemp Extract has been “created with love and a drive for perfection to offer you a natural solution to improve your health and wellbeing”. In order to provide you with hemp and CBD of the highest quality, they partnered with the finest CBD brands in Europe and worldwide. Their own brand, Heidi’s Naturals, launched in 2019, is a 100% organic and Swiss-made product line, which quickly became a top seller. They also have Heidi’s Pro, for their sporty and athletic customers.
Some examples of their carefully selected variety of CBD products include hemp extracts, CBD oils, hemp capsules, CBD vapes and oils and creams for external use. If that wasn’t enough, they also carry an exquisite selection of superfood products made from hemp seeds and CBD cosmetics, as well as CBD products for your furry friends! Of course, each CBD product brought to you by Heidi’s Garden contains less than 1% THC.
Their store receives rave reviews for its stylish aesthetic, friendly customer service and an outstanding variety of products!
Wholy Rocket – CBD – Cannabis – Hanfladen
Google rating: 4.9
Where to find it: Limmatquai 138, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Add Wholy Rocket to the list of places that make Zürich’s CBD market so competitive. This store is another that brings its own twist on the classic CBD head shop, with touchscreen tablets fitted around the store, displaying any information you may need about the products. Or for that human touch, the staff are also approachable and hugely well-informed, so you can pick their brains for anything you want to know about cannabis or their goods. Speaking of their goods, they have teas, CBD flowers and so much more!
You can also test and sample their products by smelling or tasting their range, a feature that is massively appreciated by their adoring customers. Another notable trend in their reviews is that Wholy Rocket products have a great deal of medicinal potential, helping their customers with a wide range of conditions, from skin blemishes to muscle ache; mental health issues to chronic pain. The store is only a 7-minute walk from the Fraumünster church, so can be seamlessly added into your tourist route!
Bio Top Center GmbH
Google rating: 4.6 based on 99 reviews
Where to find it: Konradstrasse 28, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
Next to the train station, you will find this trendy little store which is packed with hundreds of goods to satisfy your touristy hunger for tricky little items. Bio Top has evolved massively through its 20+ years on the cannabis scene, transforming into the small but characterful “shopping and meeting point” that it is today.
In terms of its cannabis, there are over 30 different CBD flowers to choose from, so there will definitely be something to your taste. They also offer quality CBD oils and topical creams. For all its years in the market, Bio Top has endeavoured to keep the hemp plant relevant and introduce it to the mainstream, reinventing itself again and again to do so.
But cannabis is not all they offer, thanks to their selection of literature, items of clothing and accessories. It is also a hub for information, discussions and debates on cannabis. And it seems that all of these credentials have earned Bio Top its wonderful reviews, with adjectives like “cool” and “affordable” cropping up time and again.
Its stony floor and wood, metal and glass constructions, paired with the bitter-sweet aroma in the air immerse you in the world of cannabis. It truly is a plant-lover’s paradise!
Kon-Tiki Coffeeshop & Bar
Google rating: 4.5 based on 756 reviews
Where to find it: Niederdorfstrasse 24, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Situated right in the middle of old town Zürich, Kon-Tiki doubles as a coffee shop and a bar that serves CBD flowers to its customers. This cosy little treasure is furnished with mostly wooden tables and chairs and Tiki-themed decor. It boasts a great menu of four THC-free cannabis strains to choose from and enjoy over a hot or cold beverage. What’s more, their CBD products have been lauded for their extremely high quality. One reviewer concluded, “If you are in town and looking for some good CBD in a nice atmosphere, I can definitely recommend this place”.
Further exploration also tells us that Kon-Tiki is highly social and great for meeting new friends over some CBD. If you’re lucky, you might even catch their live music or comedy! If not, the regular music played in the bar has been praised consistently. The bartenders are famously friendly, and the prices are accessible- perfect for tourists on a budget!
CBD Swiss Cannabis Verkaufspunkt/CBD Shop Zürich | CBD Kaufen Zürich | Headshop Zürich
Google rating: 5.0 based on 28 reviews.
Where to find it: Meinrad-Lienert-Strasse 5, 8003 Zürich, Switzerland
Quality is the main thing on which this store prides itself. Their products appear at a number of Swiss trade fairs and in other well-known shops, health food stores and drug stores. Their focus is on producing 100% clinically clean batches of CBD to meet the rightfully high standards and demands of their customers and partners. They assure their customers that every single product is free from all imaginable toxins, pesticides, heavy metals and other contaminants that may appear in the products of less legitimate brands. Furthermore, their products have been approved by the BAG (Federal Office of Public Health), and are “under constant and strict control” by verified Swiss laboratories.
Owing to the fine taste and great quality of their CBD, they guarantee an absolute 100% Swiss-made premium experience. They also assert that their consumers will not need to go on a spending spree to secure this experience, as not many of their products are needed to garner the effects of CBD. Their refreshingly honest approach makes it easy to understand how they have won the hearts of ample loyal customers. And this is certainly echoed throughout their Google reviews, which emphasise the greatness of their CBD oil and fair prices.
Concluding thoughts
Got the travel bug yet? We’d be surprised if you didn’t. As you’ve hopefully gathered, Zürich is a city full of culture, opportunities and of course, cannabis. Given the slightly higher THC limit permitted in Switzerland compared to other European countries, and the fact that much of the finest quality CBD on the European cannabis map is sourced in Switzerland, we’d actually say that this country is one of the best European hotspots to visit for their cannabis scene. In our eyes, all of these qualities render Zürich a city well worth visiting.
From all of us here at Alphagreen, happy travels / Gueti Reis!
Verified by a health professional
Anastasiia Myronenko
Anastasiia Myronenko is a Medical Physicist actively practicing in one of the leading cancer centers in Kyiv, Ukraine. She received her master’s degree in Medical Physics at Karazin Kharkiv National University and completed Biological Physics internship at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Germany. Anastasiia Myronenko specializes in radiation therapy and is a fellow of Ukrainian Association of Medical Physicists.
