CBD oil in Switzerland: the complete guide

CBD oil is the best known hemp product in Switzerland, and that is exactly why the choice is so confusing: full spectrum, broad spectrum, isolate, 5 to 40 percent, hemp seed oil or MCT oil as the base. In this guide we explain what CBD oil actually is, how to read a label correctly, what the law says in Switzerland and how to recognise quality. At the end you will find an overview of our range.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil consists of two parts: an extract from hemp flowers and a carrier oil. The extract delivers the cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid of the hemp plant that, unlike THC, is not intoxicating. The carrier oil makes the extract liquid and measurable in the bottle. Common carriers are hemp seed oil, MCT oil from coconut or olive oil. Our Dolocan oils use hemp seed oil, pressed from the seeds of the same plant.

The extract is usually produced by CO2 extraction. The cannabinoids and terpenes are separated from the flower at low temperature, without solvent residues. Ethanol or oil extraction are alternatives. Serious producers state the method on the product page or in the lab report.

Full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate: the difference

The three terms describe what the oil contains besides CBD.

Full spectrum: the extract contains the whole cannabinoid and terpene profile of the flower, so besides CBD also CBG, CBC, CBN and a small share of THC. In Switzerland this share is below 1 percent. Full spectrum oils taste clearly of hemp because the terpenes are preserved.
Broad spectrum: like full spectrum, but the THC has been removed afterwards. The hemp taste stays, the THC value is zero or close to it.
Isolate: pure CBD in crystal form, usually over 99 percent pure, dissolved in carrier oil. Isolate oils are neutral in taste and contain no THC and no other cannabinoids.

Which variant suits you is a matter of taste in the literal sense: if you like the hemp flavour and want the full plant profile, choose full spectrum. If you want a neutral product without any THC, for example because of drug tests at work, take an isolate.

Reading the label: percent, milligrams and carrier oil

The percentage on the bottle refers to the share of CBD in the total content. A 10 percent oil in a 10 ml bottle contains around 1000 mg of CBD, a 20 percent oil 2000 mg and a 30 percent oil 3000 mg. Some producers only print the milligrams on the label, others only the percentage. To compare, convert both to the bottle size.

The label should also show: the carrier oil, the batch number, the best before date, the THC content and a reference to the lab report. Without a batch number the oil cannot be matched to any certificate of analysis. That is a warning sign.

What the law says in Switzerland

In Switzerland, hemp products with a THC content below 1 percent do not fall under the Narcotics Act. The limit is set in the list of controlled substances of the FDHA ordinance (BetmVV-EDI, Fedlex). CBD itself is not a narcotic. Depending on how a CBD oil is offered, different product rules apply, for example for cosmetics or chemicals. That is why Swiss CBD oils often carry a note about a specific product category.

Important for travel: the 1 percent limit only applies in Switzerland. In the EU the limit is 0.2 or 0.3 percent THC depending on the country, sometimes with additional rules. A Swiss full spectrum oil with 0.8 percent THC can count as a narcotic abroad. More in the article Is CBD legal in Switzerland? Everything about the 1 percent rule.

How to recognise a good CBD oil

Four markers separate serious products from the rest:

Lab report per batch: an independent laboratory confirms the CBD and THC content and tests for heavy metals, pesticides and solvent residues. The report should match the batch number on your bottle.
Origin of the hemp: Swiss hemp from controlled cultivation can be traced. For imported goods this information is often missing.
Extraction and carrier oil: CO2 extraction and a natural carrier oil are the standard. Cheap oils sometimes use isolate from an unknown source, dissolved in supermarket vegetable oil.
Packaging: brown glass or black bottles protect the cannabinoids from light. A pipette with a scale helps to compare quantities.

Then there is storage: cool, dark and well closed. An opened oil usually stays stable for a year that way. If it turns cloudy or smells rancid, the carrier oil has gone off.

CBD oil or CBD drops: the same product?

Yes. "CBD drops" is just another word for CBD oil in a pipette bottle. Both terms describe the same product. Hemp oil from the supermarket is different: that is pure hemp seed oil without CBD extract, a cooking oil. We explain the differences in the article Hemp oil vs CBD oil.

Our range of CBD oils

At Green Passion you will find full spectrum oils by Dolocan with hemp seed oil as the base, made in Switzerland, with a THC content below 1 percent and a lab report per batch:

10% CBD oil full spectrum, 10 ml: around 1000 mg of CBD, the most common strength.
20% CBD oil full spectrum, 10 ml: around 2000 mg of CBD.
30% CBD oil full spectrum, 10 ml: around 3000 mg of CBD, the strongest variant in the range.

If you are looking for a THC free, neutral tasting product, the category also offers CBD isolate. To get started there is the CBD oil starter set. All oils and sets are in the category CBD oil Switzerland. Shipping from Zurich, pickup in our store possible.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: full spectrum or isolate?

Neither is objectively better. Full spectrum contains the whole plant profile including terpenes and a THC share below 1 percent, isolate contains only CBD. The choice depends on whether you want the hemp taste and whether THC is a deal breaker for you.

How much CBD is in a 10 ml bottle with 10 percent?

Around 1000 mg of CBD. At 20 percent it is around 2000 mg, at 30 percent around 3000 mg.

Can I take Swiss CBD oil into the EU?

Full spectrum oils with up to 1 percent THC can exceed the limits abroad. Check the rules of the destination country before travelling or take an isolate oil without THC.