Cannabis Evaluation 2021

In 2021, a total of 447 cannabis samples were handed in for analysis at the Drug Information Centre (DIZ) in Zurich. 313 samples were cannabis flowers, 98 samples were hashish and 36 samples were other cannabis products such as oils, liquids and edibles.

281 of these samples were handed in without any specific suspicion of synthetic cannbinoids. In 27 of these samples, i.e. almost 10%, synthetic cannabinoids were nevertheless detected. In the case of the remaining 166 samples, the users suspected that their substance had been mixed with synthetic cannabinoids due to concrete negative experiences. In a total of 33 of these suspicious cases, i.e. about 20%, synthetic cannabinoids could actually be detected. In the second half of 2021, there were also isolated samples in which delta-8-THC was also detected.

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Conclusion 2021

- Cannabis products containing synthetic cannabinoids are still circulating on the black market. Whenever possible, cannabis should therefore be analysed for its ingredients at the DIZ or another drug checking centre. If this is not possible, the safer-use rules should be observed. Hashish samples containing synthetic cannabinoids are increasingly being analysed.

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- Black market cannabis has a very low CBD content on average. Since CBD is thought to have a protective effect (reducing the adverse effects of THC), this is problematic from a harm reduction perspective. It is recommended, especially in the case of cannabis with a very high THC content, to mix it with CBD cannabis.

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- Safer use in connection with cannabis is still relatively weakly developed compared to other illegal psychoactive substances. In particular, the frequent smoking of cannabis with tobacco and insufficient filtering methods are problematic.

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More information and details can be found in the detailed report below. In addition, the most important information is summarised compactly on two charts.