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Switzerland distinguishes clearly between GACP and GMP in the production of medical cannabis. GACP governs cultivation and minimal post-harvest handling, which remain under narcotics law (OCStup) and do not require Swissmedic certification. GMP applies as soon as any pharmaceutical-relevant transformation occurs, triggering LPTh licensing requirements such as extraction, decarboxylation, purification, moisture adjustment, QC testing, and API release. Cultivators operate under OCStup licences, while pharmaceutical manufacturers must hold LPTh establishment licences and comply fully with GMP. This separation ensures a transparent, compliant chain from plant cultivation to medicinal product preparation.

Switzerland’s medical cannabis sector operates under a tightly structured framework that places cannabis with THC ≥1.0% in Table A of the OTStup-DFI and under the direct supervision of Swissmedic, which acts as the national Cannabis Agency. Cultivation requires both an operating licence and a crop-specific authorisation, with strict obligations for traceability and minimal permitted post-harvest handling. Pharmaceutical operators must hold appropriate LPTh and OCStup licences, advertising is heavily restricted, and annual JARE reporting ensures continuous monitoring of stocks, harvests, and deliveries. Import and export flows are controlled through Single Permits, ensuring compliance with both national legislation and international narcotics conventions.

MA Switzerland Production Sagl has obtained Swissmedic authorization for the cultivation of medical cannabis, a major milestone that complements its CBD production – active since 2018 – and opens new opportunities in the Swiss therapeutic sector.