Expand Liechtenstein: correct hemp and medical routes, add statutory tables and history

20052011-10-31

tighteningother

hemp

Liechtenstein bans hemp entirelylists Swiss livestock-feed restrictions among applicable laws

A decree extendedThe government’s customs-treaty notice listed the banSwiss feed regulations and their 2005 amendments among the laws applicable in Liechtenstein. Those agricultural restrictions belong to all use of hemp, including as cattle feed, because of control; the THC it containsnarcotics law separately preserved an exception for registered hemp varieties. The notice was adopted on 31 October and published on 9 November 2011.

Extended the ban to non-psychoactive hemp uses; personal cultivation and access were already at the floor.

Liechtenstein Gazette 2011/488 — applicable Swiss law, feed regulations 916.307 and 916.307.1, printed p. 72 Liechtenstein Gazette 2004/105 — original agricultural hemp exception Wikipedia — Cannabis in Liechtenstein

IllegalPersonal possession, with small-quantity casesuse and growing for one’s own consumption are criminal contraventions usually diverted; authorised cannabinoid medicinespunishable by a fine. Cannabis-type narcotics at or above 1% THC are prescribablecontrolled; low-THC hemp and exceptional medical access have separate rules.

Possessing cannabisPossession for one'’s own useconsumption is a criminal contravention under article 21 of the Narcotics Act:carrying a fine of up to 50,000 francs, and; up to six months in prisoncustody applies only if the fine cannot be collected.[@betmg] TheA court may waive punishment in a minor casecases.[@betmg] Other acts under article 20, such asintentional possession that is not for the possessor's own use, carryordinarily carries up to three years or a fine of up to 360 day units; serious cases carry one–twenty years.[@betmg]

Cultivation of cannabis above 1% THC is prohibitedUnauthorised growing for one’s own consumption falls under Article 21’s fine up to CHF50,000, with up to six months only if the fine cannot be collected.[@betmg] Other unauthorised growing carries up to three years in prisonor a criminal fine of up to 360 day units; serious cases carry one–twenty years.[@betmg] Article 6 controls cannabis-type narcotics at an average total THC content of at least 1%, with exceptional permissions for research, medicine development and limited medical use.[@betmg]

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Fines are the norm for users. Under article 21 of the Narcotics Act,Personal consumption and offences committedacts for one'’s own use carry a fine of up to 50,000 francs, with up to six months in prison only ifconsumption fall under the criminal fine cannot be collectedprovision, and the courtcourts may waive punishment in minor cases. Other[@betmg] For dependence-related offences under article 20 carry up to three, Article 22 lets courts defer a fine or a prison term no longer than five years while the person undertakes treatment, with a probation period of one–five years.[@betmg] Failure to start or continue treatment can lead to enforcement of the sentence.[@betmg]

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Selling, supplyingGiving cannabis to othersanother person, selling it or otherwise putting on the marketit into circulation ordinarily carries up to three years in prison or a criminal fine under article 20 of the Narcotics Act, and oneup to 360 day units.[@betmg] Serious cases carry one–twenty years in serious cases such as, including commercial dealing with large turnover or substantial profit, criminal association or quantities capable of endangering many people’s health.[@betmg]

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UseIntentional unauthorised use is an offence undera criminal contravention with a fine up to CHF50,000 and up to six months in custody only if the same provisionsfine cannot be collected.[@betmg] The court may waive punishment in minor cases.[@betmg]

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There is no general medical-cannabis programme, butPatients can receive authorised cannabinoid medicines can be prescribed. The: the government specifically’s 2020 policy paper identifies Sativex as authorised for.[@govt_drug_policy] Exceptional medical use in Liechtenstein. Residents are not covered by neighbouring Switzerland's also requires Health Office approval; its [2025 report](/history/liechtenstein-medical-permits-2025/) records twenty Dronabinol/cannabis pilot trialspermissions issued that year.[@report25] Recreational supply remains prohibited.[@betmg]

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nonemedical

No licensed productionThe Health Office can issue exceptional cultivation, manufacturing and marketing permits for scientific research, medicine development and limited medical application.[@betmg] Licensed operators must keep records and report their controlled-substance activity; industrial hemp has been restricted since 2005authorised growers and manufacturers also submit quarterly crop and output information.[@betmg] Low-THC CBD products are separately described as legally available by domestic guidance.[@youth]

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Products under 1% THC occupy a grey area.

cann

NoThe government’s 2020 policy paper identifies Sativex as authorised for medical use.[@govt_drug_policy] The 2025 government report describes exceptional cannabis programmeprescribing, though two cannabinoidusually for severe chronic pain when other medicines can be prescribedare insufficient.[@report25] It records twenty Dronabinol/cannabis permissions that year; these are authorisations, with no separate count of unique patients supplied.[@report25]

cann, wiki, govt_drug_policy, report25

Unlawful drugs can be confiscated under Article 28.[@betmg] A conviction isdependence-related sentence may be deferred for treatment under the [1989 amendment](/history/liechtenstein-treatment-deferral-1989/), subject to continuing treatment and the court’s conditions.[@betmg] Educators and carers in public service are exempted from a criminal recordduty to report a person entrusted to them for a personal-use offence under Article 21.[@betmg]

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The Narcoticslocal Act treatscontrols cannabis-type material withnarcotics at an average total THC content of at least 1% as a banned narcotic. Growing narcotics needs a permit from the Office of Public Health, and growing without one carries up to three years in prison. The act countstreats plants and plant parts of plants as substances but.[@betmg] Its text does not mentionseparately name seeds, so it does not establish an open seed-trade permission.[@betmg] Growing controlled cannabis requires an exceptional permission; domestic youth guidance separately recognises lawful low-THC CBD products.[@betmg,youth]

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No cannabis clubs are known, and theThe law leaves no room for them: growingprohibits unauthorised transfer of controlled cannabis and supplying it to another person are both prohibited.[@betmg] Cultivation and marketing exceptions serve research, medicine development or limited medical use.[@betmg] Those permissions provide no recreational club-supply authorisation.[@betmg]

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There isVisitors have no legalauthorised recreational supply for anyone. British travel advice says illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties supplier under the local drug law.[@betmg] Personal possession and tells travellers to expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessinguse fall under Article 21, using or smuggling themwhile unauthorised supply is separately punishable.[@betmg] Imports, exports and transit also when only passing throughengage the countrySwiss rules applicable under the customs treaty.[@betmg]

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Traffic Regulations article 2(2a) treats inability to drive as established when blood THC is at least 1.5 micrograms per litre (1.5 ng/mL).[@trafficvrv] A driver who proves use under a medical prescription is excepted from that automatic evidential rule, but the general prohibition on driving while unfit still applies.[@trafficvrv] Police can order a blood test on suspicion of drug influence and take the licence immediately; the road office and prosecution receive the report, and a medical fitness assessment may follow.[@trafficpractice] Road Traffic Act article 86(1) sets a fine up to CHF50,000, with imprisonment up to six months if the fine is uncollectible, rather than an automatic six-month custodial sentence.[@trafficsvg] Article 16 specifies at least three months' licence withdrawal for driving while unfit or intentionally obstructing the required test, with longer periods for specified repeats.[@trafficsvg] Administrative withdrawal and court punishment are separate proceedings.[@trafficsvg]

Liechtenstein Youth Protection — Cannabis and CBD cigarettes Liechtenstein Food Authority — Novel foods and CBD Liechtenstein Government — Accountability report 2025, p. 423, medical permits GOV.UK (FCDO) — Foreign travel advice: Liechtenstein, safety and security 8 unchanged

CHF

label Possession for own consumption · treatment criminal · term Übertretung — Article 21 · fine 50000 · prison 6 months · note Custody only if the fine is uncollectible; punishment may be waived in minor cases, label Other unauthorised possession · treatment criminal · term Vergehen — Article 20(1) · prison 3 years · note Prison or a criminal fine of up to 360 day units, label Serious case — dangerous quantity, criminal association or commercial dealing with large turnover or substantial profit · treatment criminal · term Verbrechen — Article 20(1)–(2) · prison min 1 year · prison 20 years

CHF

label Growing for own consumption · treatment criminal · term Übertretung — Article 21 · fine 50000 · prison 6 months · note Custody only if the fine is uncollectible; punishment may be waived in minor cases, label Other unauthorised growing · treatment criminal · term Vergehen — Article 20(1) · prison 3 years · note Prison or a criminal fine of up to 360 day units, label Serious case — dangerous quantity, criminal association or commercial dealing with large turnover or substantial profit · treatment criminal · term Verbrechen — Article 20(1)–(2) · prison min 1 year · prison 20 years

CHF

label Unauthorised supply, including unpaid transfer · treatment criminal · term Vergehen — Article 20(1) · prison 3 years · note Prison or a criminal fine of up to 360 day units, label Serious case — dangerous quantity, criminal association or commercial dealing with large turnover or substantial profit · treatment criminal · term Verbrechen — Article 20(1)–(2) · prison min 1 year · prison 20 years

CHF

label Unauthorised consumption · treatment criminal · term Übertretung — Article 21 · fine 50000 · prison 6 months · note Custody only if the fine is uncollectible; punishment may be waived in minor cases

Adults remain subject to criminal penalties for unauthorised possession, use and home growing for their own consumption.[@betmg] The personal-use rule provides a fine, with punishment dispensable in minor cases.[@betmg] Passing controlled cannabis to someone else engages the separate supply offence.[@betmg]

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high

The statutory cannabis prohibition begins at an average total THC content of 1%.[@betmg] Domestic youth-protection guidance describes CBD cigarettes below that threshold as legally available.[@youth] Other product rules still matter: the food authority treats hemp extracts and cannabinoids such as CBD as novel foods requiring approval before use in foods.[@food]

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licensed

Research institutes can seek Health Office permission to grow, acquire, store and use controlled drugs for their own scientific needs.[@betmg] Cannabis exceptions also cover scientific research and medicine development under Article 6.[@betmg] Permit holders must keep records and let inspectors examine their stocks, premises and documentation.[@betmg]

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word Marihuana · lang German · meaning herbal cannabis · sources youth, word Haschisch · lang German · meaning cannabis resin · sources youth, word Gras · lang German · meaning herbal cannabis; slang · sources youth, word Dope · lang German · meaning hashish; slang · sources youth