The CannaTrade Conference provides information on the currently relevant political topics from Switzerland and Europe, delves into the medical aspects of the medicinal plant cannabis, and this year takes a small journey back to the 60s, to the era of LSD.
Note: Due to renovation works in and around Hall 622 in Zurich, this year's conference will be held at the > Gallery and is unfortunately only accessible via stairs, thus not accessible for wheelchair users. We sincerely apologize and thank you for your understanding.
Friday
13.00
German
Cannabis Legalization in Switzerland - Update and Outlook
The pilot projects have started, and the parliament is drafting a bill to regulate cannabis in Switzerland, expected by the end of this year. What will this legislation look like? Will it follow Germany’s model, allowing consumption and personal cultivation, or will it lean towards the Canadian approach, specifically Quebec, where a strong government monopoly controls cannabis sales? Together with National Councillor Barbara Gysi, president of the parliamentary commission responsible, stakeholders from the Federal Office of Public Health, the Parliamentary Group on Cannabis, the Hemp Interest Group, and consumers will discuss.
Daniel Haymann (Moderation) (MME Legal),
Barbara Gysi (Präsidentin Kommission für soziale Sicherheit und Gesundheit ),
Christian Werz (BAG),
Marc Brüngger (Pure Production),
Elias Galantay (IG HANF),
Nino Forrer
14.30
Englisch
Germany has decriminalized. What now for Europe?
Since April 1st, it has been legal to smoke cannabis in Germany, and individuals are allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants at home. From July 1st, cultivation associations will be permitted, allowing up to 500 members to grow and distribute cannabis. What impact will this have on Europe? Which countries will follow Germany? And what's next for Germany? Will it move into phase two with pilot projects similar to Switzerland, or will it maintain the status quo? High-profile speakers from across Europe will discuss and highlight where problems still persist.
Lisa Haag (Moderation) (MJ Universe ),
Hendrik De Jong (Marry Jane ),
Lars Obendorf (GIZEH Raucherbedarf ),
Timo Bongartz (Cannavigia),
Nikita Cretu (Lumino),
Leonid Kotlyar (DéWarrior Unlimited )
16.00
German
Future of Growing - What is recommended for German cultivation associations?
Since the CBD boom, Switzerland has gained extensive experience in cannabis cultivation, including THC plants, thanks to pilot projects. From July 1st, cultivation associations in Germany will be legally able to grow cannabis for up to 500 members. Which cultivation methods (indoor, greenhouse, outdoor) are recommended? What should be considered, and what is advised? Renowned cultivation and plant experts will discuss and provide a comprehensive insight into the science of professional cannabis cultivation.
Note: German cultivation associations are recommended to attend the intensive seminar for cultivation associations, “Cannabis Competence Days”, on June 12th and 13th, 2024 in Berlin, organized in cooperation with the CB Club Berlin.
Michael Mosimann (Moderation) (Fourtwenty ),
Gavin George (Puregene),
Pieter Klaassen (CANNA),
Franz Josef Sima (Fluence),
Marc Montandon (CarbonActive )
Saturday
12.00
German
The listing of cannabis in the 1961 Single Convention is considered a violation of international law
The UN International Narcotics Control Board monitors compliance with international control treaties on the cultivation, production, and use of cannabis and warned as recently as March 2024 against the legalization of cannabis. Such legalization would not be permissible under international law, contradicting global drug agreements. But do these old treaties still apply if they are based on racism, deliberate deception, and abuse of power?
Annemarie Meyer
13.00
German
40 Years of Nachtschatten Verlag: From Prohibition to Legalization
It has been 40 years since Roger Liggenstorfer founded Nachtschatten Verlag out of "defiance" after having books on psychoactive plants confiscated from him as a market trader. Knowledge and enlightenment as the basis for responsible and safe drug use and as help to end prohibition have been and are Roger Liggenstorfer's life's work. Now retiring, he looks back with companions on his 40 years as a "drug publisher," on 40 years of prohibition, where at the "end of his career," cannabis is finally, albeit slowly, being regulated and legalized, and other psychoactive substances are finding their way back into medicine and hopefully into legality.
Roger Liggenstorfer (Moderation) (Nachtschatten Verlag),
Sven Schendekehl (Legalize it!),
Mathias Bröckers,
Thomas Kessler
14.00
German
The pilot projects in Switzerland are underway - how well?
The first pilot project for recreational cannabis use in Basel started in January 2023. A year and a half later, projects are up and running in Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne, Lausanne, and Geneva, soon in St. Gallen, and hopefully soon in all other Swiss cities. How have the projects started? How satisfied are the authorities, organizers, producers, dispensaries, consumers, and the population? What are the challenges? What insights have been gained so far from the pilot projects? The involved stakeholders discuss the situation and look to the future.
Barbara Burri (Städtische Gesundheitsdienste),
Philipp Hagenbach (Cannavigia),
Aline Gralke (Sanity Group),
Stefan Strasser (SwissExtract ),
Robin Rosenberger (Pure Production),
Massimo Castellucci (MANY´S Coffeeshop & Social Club)
Sunday
13.00
German
Simplified Issuance of Medical Cannabis in Switzerland – A Success?
Since August 1, 2022, medical cannabis can be cultivated, imported, exported, and - above all - simply prescribed in Switzerland. Where do we stand today? Are there enough products and dispensaries? Are there enough trained doctors? Are patients informed? Stakeholders from the SGCM-SSCM, patients, and industry representatives discuss the current state of affairs, where problems still lie, and where improvements have been made.
Michael Spahr (Moderation) (Radio Rabe),
Simon Nicolussi (Stauffacher Apotheke Zürich / Boardmember SGCM),
Simón Winistörfer (Verein MEDCAN),
Marc Eversfield (Curaleaf International),
Marcus Reussmann (Aurora Deutschland GmbH),
Jan Begemann (Pure Pharma)
14.00
German
10 Years of MEDCAN Association
The MEDCAN Association was founded ten years ago to change the situation of cannabis patients in Switzerland. Franziska and Simon – both cannabis patients themselves – recount the association's history from its inception to today. They discuss the new law and the opportunities for patients today, as well as the problems and challenges faced, and the education and activist work of MEDCAN and its goals for the future.
Franziksa Quadri (Verein MEDCAN),
Simón Winistörfer (Verein MEDCAN)
15.00
German
Medicinal Cannabis in Switzerland - Insights from Practice
This therapy option is still something that requires active advocacy. However, interest in it is increasing with every successfully treated patient, even though the scientific data is sometimes rather sparse. Our real-world data may eventually surpass scientific studies, especially if all prescribing parties would enter this data into the Mecanna data recording system of the Federal Office of Public Health. This could fundamentally change the prescription landscape and reimbursement practices in favor of the patients. Let's hope for this! Until then, we must collaborate interprofessionally and interregionally, and maintain regular exchanges with those affected to learn more. You will learn about what has already been happening in various medical fields in Switzerland in a brief insight into the practice of cannabis medicine.
Bea Goldmann (Stauffacher Apotheke, Board Member SGCM)
16.00
German
The Love You Take is Equal to the Love You Make." LSD in the Sixties
This quote from the Beatles' song "The End" from the Abbey Road album encapsulates the philosophy of the Peace-and-Love era. While it was still legal, LSD therapy was widely practiced. At countless colleges, on the streets, and during the famous Summer of Love in 1967 and 1968 in San Francisco, Toronto, and elsewhere, vast amounts of LSD were consumed. Afterwards, it became illegal. Susanne Seiler, who emigrated to Toronto in 1968, experienced this development firsthand: Since we were young and inexperienced, the high doses we took sometimes led to dark trips and psychological problems. However, most of those who took LSD at that time discovered a source of wisdom that helped them throughout their lives, guiding, inspiring, and encouraging them.
Susanne G. Seiler (The Psychedelic Salon)
