First legal cannabis boutique with CBD weed opens in Zurich

The new Green-Passion shop near Zurich's Lochergut offers six strains of cannabis. But customers aren't just buying it to smoke.

Six different flower strains, cannabis oil, and powder – that's what Agi Petrova and her boyfriend are offering at Zurich's first cannabis shop. The business partners have been working for several years on growing legal cannabis.

Now they've made their dream of being their own boss come true. Just a few weeks ago, they opened the first Green-Passion shop on Badenerstrasse near Zurich's Lochergut. "Our shop's concept is unique in Zurich – we offer all kinds of legal cannabis products," says 22-year-old shop assistant Petrova.

These are organic products grown in Switzerland. Customers use the flowers to smoke, cook with, or use the oil for a bath – "there are so many ways to use it."

The feedback has been really positive so far: "Our customers range from 18 to 84 years old," says Petrova.

THC content under one percent

But there have also been customers who complained they didn't get a buzz. That's because the THC content has to be under one percent for the product to be sold legally. "We don't want to be a stoner shop," says Petrova. That's why they only offer the raw product and no smoking accessories.

"We want to take away the fear of the so-called bad drug," says Petrova. The focus is always on the ingredient cannabidiol (CBD). That's why the motto is "Everything a CBD lover could want."

Customer has to insist on a test

Cannabis with less than one percent THC is legal, but you'll still get checked if the police stop you: "We can't tell just by the smell or look how much THC is in it," says Judith Hödl from Zurich city police.

If the person says it's less than one percent, a formal procedure has to be started at the city court. That means we can't just give out a 100 franc fine anymore.

"If the test shows a THC content over one percent, there will be a report to the city court," says Hödl. Besides a fine, you'll also have to pay for the analysis. "If the value is under one percent, the case is dropped by the city court and they decide if the seized cannabis is returned," says Hödl. This rule is applied throughout the whole canton of Zurich.

Source: 20min.ch