Cantons · AR
Appenzell Ausserrhoden had a permanent resident population of 57'221 on 31 December 2025 (BFS). Its constitution names no capital: Herisau is the seat of the Kantonsrat, the cantonal parliament, and of the government, and the courts sit in Trogen. With 16'100 residents Herisau is also the largest municipality, ahead of Teufen (6'646) and Speicher (4'505). The canton is German-speaking: federal law does not count it among the multilingual cantons, and all its municipalities lie in the German language region (Art. 21 para. 2 SpG; BFS).
The rules for medical cannabis are federal. Since 1 August 2022 they have applied in Appenzell Ausserrhoden in the same way as in every other canton: physicians may prescribe it where medically indicated, without an exceptional authorisation from the BAG (Art. 8 BetmG). Enforcement is cantonal. The Fachstelle Heilmittelkontrolle issues permits and carries out supervision, and its page on narcotics explains how practices, pharmacies and care homes return unused narcotics for destruction.
Supervision of medicines and narcotics
The Fachstelle Heilmittelkontrolle is the office of the cantonal pharmacist, within the Abteilung Medizinische Dienste of the Amt für Gesundheit (Departement Gesundheit und Soziales). Within its competence it enforces the Therapeutic Products Act and its ordinances and certain provisions of the Narcotics Act and the narcotics control ordinance, including permits and supervision.
Fachstelle HeilmittelkontrolleNarcotics: Fachstelle Heilmittelkontrolle (ar.ch)
Good to know
- The new cantonal constitution of 30 November 2025, published on fedlex with status 1 January 2027, also names no capital.
- The Fachstelle's page on narcotics also covers travelling with narcotic medicines in the Schengen area.
- Medicine manufacturers and wholesalers are inspected by the Regionale Fachstelle Ost- und Zentralschweiz at the Kantonale Heilmittelkontrolle Zürich, whose region includes Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
Pharmacies in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden
These pharmacies state on their own website that they dispense medical cannabis on prescription. A factual list, not a recommendation.
Alpstein Apotheke
Urnäscherstrasse 51
9104 WaldstattPostal dispatch stated on its website
The same federal rules everywhere
- Since 1 August 2022, physicians may prescribe cannabis medicines without an exceptional authorisation from the BAG (Art. 8 BetmG). Whether treatment is an option is decided individually in the consultation.
- Medicines with at least 1% total THC are prescribed on the official narcotics prescription, which is valid for one month (Art. 46 and 47 BetmKV). The original paper form has to reach the pharmacy.
- You choose the pharmacy freely, in your canton or anywhere else in Switzerland (Art. 26 HMG).
Questions about the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Which office is responsible for narcotics in Appenzell Ausserrhoden?
The Fachstelle Heilmittelkontrolle of the Amt für Gesundheit, part of the Departement Gesundheit und Soziales. It has its own page on narcotics on ar.ch.
Is there a pilot trial in Appenzell Ausserrhoden?
No. The BAG overview of authorised pilot trials, checked on 20 October 2026, lists none in the canton. Pilot trials are non-medical studies and not a route to medical treatment (Art. 8a BetmG), and participants must live in the canton where a trial is conducted (Art. 14 BetmPV).
Does my pharmacy have to be in Appenzell Ausserrhoden?
No. You choose the pharmacy freely, in the canton or elsewhere in Switzerland (free choice of pharmacy, Art. 26 HMG).
General information, not legal advice. It does not replace a medical consultation.
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