The first legal cannabis sales point opens next Monday in Lausanne. Following the adoption of federal legislation on pilot testing of the sale of cannabis in 2021, the city of Lausanne authorized the Cann-L project to experiment with the sale of cannabis to monitor the dynamics of the black market and assess the impact on consumer behavior.
Reduce risks
At first glance, the Cann-L store in Lausanne looks far from what one might expect of a cannabis dispensary. The store prides itself on a “sober facade and uncluttered interior” that intentionally avoids promoting its products.
Frank Zobel, deputy director of Addiction Suisse, emphasizes that the objective is not to encourage consumption, but rather to offer consumers a wise choice. The store will offer three-gram bags of weed named Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, which range in THC content from less than 5% to more than 15%. A cannabis resin should quickly join the product range.
Mr. Zobel explains the reason for this selection of products: “On the black market, people buy what they find. These are often very potent products, but less potent products might work well for them.”
All products sold in the store come from a production site located in the canton of Vaud and are grown organically. There are plans to expand production to other locations depending on demand. The exact cultivation site remains confidential for security reasons.
At Cann-L, recreational cannabis will sell for between nine and twelve Swiss francs per gram, depending on the THC content. These prices align with those charged on the black market, hoping to encourage consumers to opt for the legal and regulated alternative.
To avoid excessive consumption, Cann-L Project participants can only purchase 10 grams of cannabis at a time and cannot consume more than 10 grams of pure THC per month, or 50 grams of cannabis with 20% THC.
Customer experience and interaction
The Cann-L store was designed as an immersive and educational space. A team of seven people, having received specialist training, will assist customers. The store has an informal chat area where customers can engage in conversations about cannabis. Selected brochures, provided by Addiction Suisse, will contribute to the educational aspect of the experience, ensuring consumers have access to accurate and relevant information.
The first 250 registrants are on average between 35 and 37 years old, and 80% of them are men. They use cannabis almost every day. To facilitate transactions, participants will receive personal cards that not only allow them to purchase cannabis, but also serve as proof of possession in the event of a police stop.
The scientific study behind the Cann-L project will aim to assess the impact of non-profit cannabis sales on consumer behavior. Participants will be required to complete a questionnaire every six months to collect valuable data and understand the evolution of cannabis consumption in a regulated market.
