Hemp leaves can be infused pure or mixed with other herbs as tea. The leaves of the hemp plant can also be used to flavor other foods. Hemp leaves are also used as a tobacco substitute geanuso as for the extraction of cannabinoids, which are then incorporated in isolated form, for example, in cosmetic formulations.

The hemp plant and its ingredients are said to have various positive properties. In addition to cannabinoids, the individual plant components contain other active ingredients such as terpenes, vitamins, proteins and minerals. This is also true for the hemp flowers. These are female, unfertilized inflorescences and can be used in many ways. The hemp flowers are the component of the hemp plant with the highest concentration of active ingredients. Due to this property, hemp flowers are increasingly used in pharmacy, e.g. as a raw material for extracts or as a ready-to-use preparation. Furthermore, hemp flowers are also used for recreational consumption. Also in the food sector hemp flowers have been used for a long time as tea or for the addition of flavors.

Hemp fibers have good tensile strength and durability and are therefore well suited for use in ropes and textiles, so they have been used in shipping for centuries. A particularly important component is the so-called bast fiber, which is located in the stalks between the wood and the bark. Monoecious hemp varieties are usually preferred for hemp fiber production, as these plants all undergo the same ripening process and can therefore be harvested at the same time. Hemp fibers are also used in other areas, whether in paper production, packaging, consumables or as a substitute for plastics such as plastic.

The seeds of the hemp plant also represent an important raw material that has already been used for a long time. In addition to the hemp seeds themselves, the hemp seed oil, which is usually obtained by cold pressing, also serves as the basis for many foods. Hemp seeds have a versatile, valuable and extensive nutritional profile and are therefore becoming increasingly popular in the food industry for humans and animals, for example as a substitute for overbred grains such as wheat or soy or as an alternative to meat. Hemp seeds are also used as a raw material for various technical products, e.g. in the field of alternative fuels. For seed production, diözische hemp varieties are usually used, because they naturally produce more seeds than monözische genetics.

The roots of the hemp plant have been used as a traditional medicine in various cultures for several thousand years. For example, it is known today that the hemp root was dried and ground to form the basis of a pain-reducing ointment. Today, hemp roots are still used in naturopathic medicine. Thus, the roots are still crushed in some cultures today to extract fresh juice or to make a decoction.

Social environment

For a long time, the hemp plant and its components represented the most widely and diversely used raw material. But the age of industrialization changed everything. It allowed the textile industry to produce alternatives to hemp, such as cotton and synthetic fibers, faster and cheaper. In the paper industry, hemp began to be replaced by pulp made from wood, as trees and forests were available in greater masses than hemp in nature. Therefore, after the end of alcohol prohibition in the early 1930s, the American William Randolph Hearst, newspaper publisher, media mogul and investor in the nylon industry, decided to launch a public media campaign to negatively influence and weaken the reputation of hemp as a raw material, which was in competition with most of Hearst's business activities.
The media campaign, financed by William Randolph Hearst, was directed by Harry Anslinger. Anslinger was a U.S. diplomat with Swiss-German roots who had taken over as head of the Department of Prohibition in Washington, DC in 1929. He was a clear opponent of psychoactive substances and publicly declared that especially members of minorities would become aggressive and insane through the consumption of substances like hemp and would commit more crimes in this state. By doing so, he spread a sense of fear and insecurity among the population through the media, which belonged to Hearst's empire. He even went so far as to use a movie called "Reefer Madness" to reinforce his message, namely that the consumption of hemp leads to violent crime and social ruin. The campaign eventually had its effect and hemp would be banned in the U.S. in 1937 by the Marijuana Tax Act, authored by Harry Anslinger. However, the reputation of hemp had already been negatively affected globally to such an extent that consequences also followed at the international level, so that in 1961, as a consequence, the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, again co-drafted by Harry Anslinger, was signed by the UN member states. This treaty explicitly allows the import and trade of hemp only for medical or scientific purposes and is still in effect today. Despite the ban by the Unity Convention, since the early 1990s more and more countries have started to allow hemp for cultivation again for economic reasons. Since the beginning of the 2010s, a wave of liberalization has been taking place, starting in North America and Europe, which has led to legal hemp products being allowed to be sold in many countries for some years now, with the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) in particular being the main focus to date.

According to the World Health Organization WHO, the active ingredient cannabidiol CBD is not addictive and does not cause dependence when consumed, which means there is no potential for abuse. As long as the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of a product with hemp plant ingredients is below one percent, this product does not fall under the Narcotics Act, as no psychoactive effect can occur at this level. In Switzerland, therefore, such products have been allowed to be sold since 2016, provided they comply with the further legislation relevant to the respective product category. In the meantime, voices from all political camps are increasing in various regions of the world calling for liberalization in the handling of the hemp plant and its ingredients, which is also reflected in the many countries that are currently considering a revision of their laws. Topics that are being discussed at the political level in this context include health promotion, youth protection, addiction prevention, education, or technical aspects such as the regulatory differentiation between medicinal and recreational products.

Cannabis medicinal products are understood to be the totality of cannabis products used, including flowers, regardless of their legal classification. As a rule, these products contain more than 1% THC. In medicine, cannabis is mainly used for chronic conditions such as pain caused by cancer, seizures, spasms, as well as for malaise or to stimulate appetite during chemotherapy.

The interest in medicinal products with hemp-derived ingredients is steadily increasing, although the research regarding the effectiveness in medical applications is still very young and therefore insufficiently proven. There are many reports of experiences, but often no clinical studies yet.

In 2019, the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH issued nearly 3000 exemption permits for cannabis medicinal products in Switzerland. In June 2020, the Federal Council also adopted a recommendation to parliament recommending that medical access to cannabis with a THC content of more than one percent be facilitated. To this end, the relevant legislation is to be amended so that the dispensing of medical cannabis no longer requires a special permit from the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH and the responsibility for treatments with medical cannabis lies with the medical profession. The corresponding amendment to the law came into force in August 2022, lifting the ban on cannabis for medical purposes.

As a result of the amendment, the cultivation, processing, production and trade of cannabis for medical purposes became subject to the authorization and control system of the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products swissmedic. Since then, doctors have been able to prescribe cannabis medicines (e.g. so-called "extemporaneous preparations", i.e. medicines produced by a pharmacy on a doctor's prescription). As a medicinal product, Sativex is still the only cannabis-containing medicinal product that is approved under medicinal product law in Switzerland and may be dispensed directly by physicians.

Currently, cannabis medicinal products are reimbursed by the compulsory health insurance only in exceptional cases. However, the available evidence on efficacy and cost-effectiveness is currently insufficient for general reimbursement.

For some years now, products with hemp plant ingredients whose tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is below a certain limit have been allowed to be marketed as stimulants in various countries.

The cannabidiol (CBD) content of a product is generally not subject to any legal restrictions. The product range offered on the market extends from lifestyle products such as CBD flowers, CBD hash as well as CBD pollen and CBD oils for humans and animals to accessories.

All products are subject to clear legal regulations, which may vary depending on the geographical market.

In the area of foodstuffs, the focus is primarily on hemp seeds and hemp leaves. In order to be able to place foodstuffs with hemp plant ingredients on the market or to use them as a food ingredient, it must be checked in each case whether these foodstuffs qualify as novel foods.

This is the case if it cannot be proven that the food was already consumed to a significant extent in Switzerland or the EU before May 15, 1997.

The maximum permitted THC content in a foodstuff is defined in Switzerland in the Contaminants Ordinance (VHK) Maximum Levels and may not be exceeded.

On the other hand, foods containing cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, CBN, etc. are listed in the Novel Food Catalogue of the European Commission as novel foods, since their use as food is not detectable before May 15, 1997. They can only be marketed in Switzerland with a permit from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) or an authorization from the European Commission.

The following products made from hemp seeds are not considered novel foods and can therefore be used as an ingredient in food: Hemp Seed, Hemp Seed Oil, Hemp Seed Flour & Defatted Hemp Seed.

For these products it could be proven in the EU that they were already used as food before May 15, 1997. They are therefore not subject to approval.

Herbal tea made from leaves of the hemp plant is basically not considered a novel food in Switzerland. On the other hand, anyone wishing to produce, import or place on the market herbal tea obtained from the flowers must provide evidence that this herbal tea was already being consumed as a foodstuff in significant quantities before May 15, 1997 and is therefore not to be classified as a novel foodstuff.

Herbal tea made from hemp leaves can be used to flavor food without a permit. The basic requirement is that the herbal tea is used as an aqueous infusion and not in any other form (e.g., concentrated or syrup).

When hemp leaves are used, the novelty of the food product must always be verified, as only one use as herbal tea is known. In addition, products with hemp plant ingredients must not fall under the Therapeutic Products Act (HMG) if they are to be approved as foodstuffs.

Cosmetic products with hemp plant ingredients, especially CBD, are gaining more and more acceptance in the areas of body, skin & hair care. The offer ranges from various creams to liquid care products and bath balls as well as bath salts to shampoo, conditioner, shower gel.

Only CBD extracted from hemp leaves or produced synthetically may be used in cosmetic products. CBD extracted from hemp flowers may not be used in CBD cosmetic products.

In general, a cosmetic product must be safe by definition. The safety of the individual ingredients must be proven in a safety report. Furthermore, references of any kind to disease-curing, disease-soothing or disease-preventing effects of cosmetics (e.g. medicinal or therapeutic properties) are prohibited.

Hemp is popular as a renewable resource because of its easy cultivation and complete usability. No herbicides are needed because the plants completely shade the ground after only a few days, so no weeds can find light. It is also extremely pest resistant and low maintenance.

Hemp produces more biomass than any other native crop, absorbs an above-average amount of CO2 per hectare under cultivation, and requires little water to grow. In addition, hemp is extremely versatile and is valued for its high durability, environmental compatibility and low energy footprint.

Hemp is accordingly used as a diverse industrial & raw material in various industries. Thus, biomass and fibers are used for the production of textiles and paper as well as consumer & packaging material and in the automotive industry.

Cannabis products with a THC content of more than one percent that are not approved by authorities for medical purposes are prohibited for production, consumption and distribution in Switzerland.

On March 31, 2021, the Federal Council approved the ordinance on pilot trials for the controlled distribution of non-medical cannabis with a THC content of more than one percent.

"These studies are intended to expand knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages of controlled access to cannabis," the Federal Council announced in its March 31, 2021, media release (Swiss Confederation - The Federal Council, 2021). Once evaluated, the results of the pilot trials will serve as a scientific basis for further political regulation regarding cannabis.

Starting May 15, 2021, applications for the implementation of a pilot trial can be submitted. In this regard, the Federal Office of Public Health communicates the following: "Pilot trials can be carried out by private or public organizations such as universities, municipalities, cantons, research institutes, associations, foundations, etc.. A recognized research institute must be involved in each pilot trial.

A permit from the FOPH is required to conduct a pilot trial. The cantonal and municipal authorities must be contacted prior to submission of the application in order to clarify aspects relating to the protection of public order, safety and the protection of minors. The proposed outlets are to be approved by the relevant municipal authorities." The first results of the pilot tests are expected by the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH from 2024.

In 2022, the market volume of the international cannabis market was around USD 25 billion.

The market potential of the international cannabis market is estimated to be around USD 47 billion by 2025, almost double the current market volume.

In surveys, 74% of all participants say they have heard of products with hemp-derived ingredients.

26% of all consumers use products with hemp-derived ingredients at least once a day.