Frequently asked questions

Ideally, your symptoms will already have been investigated and, where appropriate, assessed by a specialist beforehand. If you are not achieving sufficient symptom control despite guideline-based treatment, a therapeutic trial may be worthwhile. Whether treatment is an option is always determined by an individual medical assessment – read more under Indications.

From booking an appointment through the medical assessment to the prescription and ongoing care, the path is clearly structured and largely possible by telemedicine. Read the entire process in four steps under Process.

We conduct our consultations predominantly online – allowing us to care for you flexibly and regardless of location. In-person appointments on site in Grenchen are possible where medically necessary or in special circumstances.

As a rule, we can offer you an appointment promptly. Since most consultations take place by telemedicine, we are reachable throughout Switzerland and handle enquiries on several days per week. The easiest way is to book your appointment directly online or to contact us by phone.

For the initial consultation we deliberately take our time to discuss your symptoms, your history and your questions carefully. Later follow-up reviews are usually shorter. The exact duration depends on your individual situation.

Costs & Health Insurance

Our consultation corresponds to a regular medical consultation and is usually billed through your Grundversicherung (basic mandatory health insurance) – the deductible (Franchise) and co-payment (Selbstbehalt) apply as usual. If you prefer, paying yourself is also possible. You will find a detailed overview under Costs.

The consultation is processed through your health insurer like a regular consultation (co-payment and policy terms apply). The cannabis medicines themselves are usually not covered; here an application for cost coverage (Kostengutsprachegesuch) can be submitted, the processing of which usually takes several weeks to months. A self-funded therapeutic trial beforehand is therefore often advisable. Details under Costs.

This cannot be answered in general terms. The costs depend on the condition, the form of administration and the dose required. In our experience they usually lie between roughly 300 and 600 francs per month, but in individual cases they can vary considerably. You will receive a reliable estimate after examination and the setting of an indication in our consultation; the dispensing pharmacy will also advise you on this.

Driving & Travel

With a medical prescription you may, in principle, drive, provided that you are actually fit to drive – always carry your prescription with you. Anyone who can prove that they take THC in accordance with a medical prescription is not automatically considered unfit to drive on the basis of a positive THC finding alone. Nevertheless, we expressly advise against driving while you can feel the effects.

Legal background: In Switzerland an analytical limit of 1.5 µg/L (equivalent to 1.5 ng/ml) of THC in the blood applies (Art. 34 VSKV-ASTRA in conjunction with Art. 2 para. 2 VRV); the exception for medically prescribed THC follows from Art. 2 para. 2ter VRV. Where there are indications of impaired fitness to drive, an assessment is carried out by recognised experts who take into account police findings, a medical examination and a chemical-toxicological analysis (the so-called three-pillar expert report, Art. 16 SKV). A voluntary assessment of fitness to drive while taking medical THC is possible; you bear the costs for this yourself. We are happy to discuss this topic with you individually.

Within the Schengen Area you may carry medically prescribed cannabis medicines, provided you have a completed certificate under Art. 75 of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement with you. This is issued by the treating physician; it is authenticated by the dispensing body (pharmacy or self-dispensing physician). The certificate is valid for a maximum of 30 days, and a separate certificate is required for each narcotic.

Outside the Schengen Area, authorisation from the embassy or authority of the destination country may be required; in some countries importation is prohibited entirely. Clarify the regulations well in advance of your trip – we will support you with this.

Safety, Effect & Data Protection

As in an ordinary doctor's practice, your data is secure with us and is subject to medical confidentiality. When transmitting medical records or other sensitive data, please use our secure HIN e-mail address. Read more in our Privacy Policy.

Medical cannabis is produced under controlled conditions and used under medical supervision. Its quality meets the standards for medicines and is therefore consistent and tested. Like any medicine, medical cannabis can also have side effects and is not suitable for everyone; a careful medical assessment of the indication, contraindications and possible side effects is therefore essential. As a rule, a "high" feeling is avoided, and smoking ("getting stoned") as a form of administration is dispensed with, as it is harmful to health and carries a risk of addiction.

On the black market, by contrast, strains with a very high THC content are often sold, so that overdoses are possible. In addition, contamination from fungal infestation, bacteria or chemical substances is frequently found; sometimes synthetic cannabinoids are even applied, which are suspected of causing severe side effects up to and including fatalities. (Source: BAG)

When and how clearly an effect occurs varies greatly from person to person and depends on the symptom profile, the preparation, the form of administration and the dose. As a rule, the therapy is dosed gradually, so that the suitable dosage settles in over a few days to weeks. Whether and how well a treatment works for you usually becomes apparent during a supervised therapeutic trial.

A risk of dependence cannot be entirely ruled out, but within a medically supervised and controlled setting it is considered low. We deliberately dose conservatively, dispense with smoking ("getting stoned") as a form of administration, and monitor the therapy closely. Where there is a current or previous addiction disorder, we examine the situation with particular care and in many cases advise against THC-containing therapy.

Do you have an addiction disorder or corresponding symptoms in connection with your cannabis use? We are happy to refer you to one of the many counselling centres, for example the Swiss Addiction Help. There you will find further information and a self-test. We do not offer support for addiction disorders or assistance with recreational use.