“The High Feels Better”

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Patrick F.* (19) has been going to the pharmacy for the joint since February and no longer to the dealer: a pilot project for legal cannabis started in Basel at the end of January. Since then, some 180 people have been able to legally obtain weed as part of the “Weed Care” study. So is Patrick F.

The study examines how the regulated sale of cannabis affects the health and addictive behavior of smokers. The research is intended to provide facts for the discussion about future cannabis policy.

No more worrying about hidden ingredients

Patrick F. is very satisfied so far. “The high feels better,” he sums up over the past few weeks. He doesn’t smoke weed more often just because he now has cannabis available. “But it’s more relaxed because all the stress about purchasing is eliminated.” In addition, he does not have to worry about whether the grass is stretched.

In the pharmacy, participants in the study can identify themselves with a cannabis care card and then choose between two hashish and four organic cannabis flower products. Depending on the THC content, they cost eight to twelve francs per gram. “I’ve already tasted the range,” says Patrick F. According to the young man, these are “good products” that he can get in the store. dispensary who says he has been smoking weed regularly for four years. So far he prefers the stronger dose of hashish.

10 grams per month

The study participants can ingest a total of ten grams of pure THC per month. The dispensary uses the issued cannabis passport to keep track of how much the stoners have already drawn. This dose is enough for him, which is why he has not illegally purchased any additional cannabis until now, says Patrick F.

The student estimates that he will probably consume a little more than usual during the coming spring break. Until now he visits his pharmacy around the corner in Kleinbasel about every week and a half.

He would only consume the hashish and grass on private property – that’s also one of the rules of the research project. It is also prohibited to pass on or resell the substance.

Five kilograms of cannabis sold so far

In the first six weeks, about 5 kilos and therefore 1000 packs of study cannabis were sold, says Regine Steinauer, head of the health department of the canton of Basel-Stadt. She is conducting the research in collaboration with the University Psychiatric Clinics and the University of Basel.

The project is still too young to report initial scientific findings. Detailed interim results are only available after a year, the project leaders will inform you on request. So far, no abortions have been reported, either from the pharmacies or from the participants.

So far we are satisfied with the progress of the project. The recruitment of the participants and the start of sales in the pharmacies went without any problems. “The first online questionnaire in January has been completed by everyone and the second survey of participants is currently underway.”

*Name changed

Source:Blick