Weed in Lugano, Switzerland: my experience

Hi, smokers! You probably know that cannabis laws and regulations vary from one county to another, so let’s go deeper and try to understand what is going on with weed in Lugano. My post covers info about weed laws, regulations, general attitude of locals and cops, hash VS weed availability and pricing, failures and success in searching weed in Lugano.

I just got back from Lugano a couple of days ago, and as I sit here enjoying a small joint of white widow, I can’t help but reflect on the great time I had in Lugano — thanks in part to the cannabis that accompanied me on my adventures.

Cannabis laws in Lugano, Switzerland

It is important to note that cannabis, weed, and hash are prohibited in Lugano. You can not officially purchase marijuana strains with high THC concentration in some coffee shops like in Amsterdam. Medical CBD cannabis may be available for purchase at dispensaries, but a prescription from a doctor is required, and you will never get high with CBD.

In one sports bar I got acquainted with Simon who moved to Lugano 3 years ago, so he knows the local drug scene. According to Simon - despite cannabis being banned according to laws, cops are generally relaxed about weed, sometimes being smokers themselves.

How the Cannabis Law Is Enforced in Lugano

Technically, any cannabis product with more than 1% THC is illegal in Lugano. However, Simon explained that the police tend to be relatively relaxed when it comes to cannabis in Lugano, especially with tourists.

If you’re caught with a small amount — less than 10 grams of weed or 5 grams of hash — you’re unlikely to face serious consequences. The police might confiscate your weed, but it’s unlikely you’ll get into much trouble as long as you’re discreet.

Coppin' Weed in Lugano: The New Wave

So here’s the scoop on how folks are gettin' their green in Lugano. Simon gave me some info — big-time cannabis dealers are all about that darknet life, coppin' their supply from shady onion sites like DrChronic or Bitpharma. They flip it to locals and tourists alike. But if you’re just in Lugano for a few days, tryin' to navigate the darknet and waitin' on cannabis shipments ain't it.

If you are just having a short vacation or a trip to Lugano - purchasing weed via wholesale darknet websites is not an option. Looking for dealers on the streets and in parks is still something you may do to find some weed in Lugano, but more and more dealers are shifting to online orders done via messengers and payments in bitcoins instead of cash. This simply protects them from ever being caught by cops. Crypto payments are anonymous and delivery is done to selected location without any personal meetings, so both you and the dealer are secured from any possible consequences.

This was a surprise for me cause I am more old school and just “heard something about crypto”. While now all youngsters (who are usually a target group for cannabis dealers) have crypto wallets so dealers simply follow the trend. I think dealers are losing money anyway because not all clients know crypto, but Simon commented that nowadays if you do not use crypto - you 100% have a friend who uses it, so you may just send him money from card and he does crypto transaction for you. After that I remembered I also have such a friend, so I agreed with Simon.

Attitude of Lugano locals to weed

You already know that good non-medical marijuana with high % THC is not something you can officially buy in a branded cannabis shop in Lugano, but this does not mean locals are too much against weed 😃. Youngsters and students are definitely those who share their love of cannabis and welcome new smokers in their circles. They can not imagine a good party without having a joint or two, while it’s hard to join them if you are already a “25+ old man”.

In general smoking some occasional joint after a long working week is a pleasant tradition among many people in Lugano, so no one will point fingers at you seeing how you are smoking weed, but better to avoid doing this publicly just not to bring useless attention.

On my first night in Lugano, Simon invited me to a small gathering at his place — just a few friends, some beer, weed, and a PlayStation 5. It was exactly my kind of evening! I was fortunate to have met Simon, who became my go-to person for cannabis during my stay in Lugano. He assured me that as long as you’re respectful and avoid drawing attention, the locals are generally okay with cannabis use. But again, it’s best not to carry more than 10 grams on you.

Frequently asked questions about Cannabis in Lugano

Is cannabis legal in Lugano?

No, non-medical cannabis is not legal in Lugano, while cops are relaxed towards weed and having less than 20 grams in your pocket should not result in arrest.

What if I get caught with weed in Lugano?

If cops think you are a real dealer who delivers stuff - you will have problems. But usually tourists with small amounts of hash or weed are not touched at all, only dealers should worry.

Can I buy weed on the streets of Lugano?

Yes you still can. This is an outdated approach already so more and more dealers are switching to online sales, but hustling parks and central streets may still give you successful results. While much easier would be finding dealer’s contacts and order online with further delivery.

Can I find high quality weed or hash in Lugano?

Yes, while quality varies from dealer to dealer.

Can I find hash in Lugano?

Yes, a lot of dealers sell both weed and hash, so hash is also popular and can be found in Lugano. Not all dealers have it, but it is still rather popular.

What is the price for weed and hash in Lugano?

Prices vary from dealer to dealer and usually depend on stuff quality and dealer’s greediness 😂From what I saw - super high quality weed may go up to €20 - €25 per 1 gram (while the more you buy - the lower price you get), and high quality hash was around €30 - €35 per 1 gram. Have not purchased low quality weed in Lugano so do not know the prices, but should be lower.

Five random facts about cannabis

1. Cannabis Goes Back At Least 12,000 Years

This means that cannabis is one of mankind’s oldest crops, according to the book Marihuana: The First Twelve Thousand Years by E. L. Abel.

2. Cannabis Can Both Relax & Invigorate You

This mainly depends on the type of strain you use to consume. Indica is more relaxing and sedating, while Sativa is more uplifting and energetic. You can choose either or a mix or both for interesting results!

3. LA Is Weed Wonderland

Los Angeles, aside from being the city of stars, has more marijuana dispensaries than Starbucks. Welcome to LaLa Land.

4. Cannabis Can Improve Senior Life Quality

From providing relaxation to becoming a more natural approach to pain relief treatments, cannabis is definitely here to improve the life quality of our senior citizens.

5. Terpenes

The distinctive smell of cannabis comes from terpenes, aromatic compounds that also contribute to the plant's effects.