Cannabis evaluation 2024

In 2024, a total of 413 cannabis samples were submitted to the Drug Information Center (DIZ) Zurich for analysis. 234 samples were cannabis flowers, 138 samples were hashish and 41 samples were other cannabis products such as oils, liquids, edibles and dabs (cannabis concentrate).

Synthetic cannabinoids

In 2024, 15 (3.6 %) of all cannabis samples submitted to the DIZ for analysis were spiked with at least one synthetic cannabinoid. Compared to the previous year (3), no samples were spiked with two or more different synthetic cannabinoids this year. In 2023, 19 (4.7 %) and in 2022, 11 (2.8 %) of all cannabis samples submitted to the DIZ for analysis were spiked with at least one synthetic cannabinoid.

Semi-synthetic cannabinoids

In 2024, 23 samples with delta-8 and one sample with HHC were tested at the DIZ. ^∆8-THC only occurs in very small quantities, if at all, as a natural cannabinoid in the hemp plant. However, since a conspicuously high concentration of ^∆8-THC was analyzed in some samples, it is suspected that it was applied to CBD flowers by non-natural means or subsequently. This suspicion is substantiated by the often simultaneously high CBD value measured.

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The detailed cannabis evaluation 2024 can be found in the attached report. These are the most important findings from 2024:

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- The number of samples analyzed remained stable at 400 in 2024.

- Cannabis in flower form still has a very low CBD content. As CBD is thought to have a protective effect (reduction of the undesirable effects of THC), this is problematic from a harm reduction perspective. It is recommended to mix cannabis with CBD cannabis, especially cannabis with a very high THC content.

- After a brief upward trend last year, CBD levels in hashish are once again lower than in previous years. At the same time, the average THC content in the samples rose by 4 %.

- Once again, more samples containing semi-synthetic cannabinoids (Delta-8-THC and HHC) were handed in. A total of 24 cases were registered.

- In recent years, there has been a steady increase in alternative dosage forms (dab, vape, etc.) in cannabis drug testing. This year, samples that were not hashish or flowers accounted for just under 10%.

- Suspected cases of synthetic cannabinoids are on the decline, and users' assessments are also proving to be more accurate.90 suspected samples were submitted in 2022, 64 in 2023 and 73 this year. The number of confirmed suspected cases has risen significantly. In 2022, only 5.5 % of suspected cases were confirmed. In 2023, the figure was 23.4 %. This year, this high rate has relativized somewhat at just under 11 %. This indicates that users are aware of the possibility of contamination on the one hand, and are able to identify the symptoms of synthetic cannabinoids more precisely on the other. However, it also indicates that the contaminated samples are sometimes difficult to distinguish from very potent cannabis.

- Compliance with the safer use rules is still very important in this dynamic cannabis market.

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You can find more information about cannabis on our website here.

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The results published here are not representative of the substance market in the city of Zurich.

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