Cannatherapy

Cantons · OW

Obwalden consists of seven municipalities, and Sarnen is the capital and the seat of the cantonal authorities (Art. 2 KV OW). BFS figures for 31 December 2025 give the canton 39'879 residents, with Sarnen (10'906), Alpnach (6'594) and Kerns (6'557) as the largest municipalities. The constitution has no article on an official language; all municipalities lie in the German language region (BFS).

The federal rules on medical cannabis have been the same in Obwalden as in every other canton since 1 August 2022 (Art. 8 BetmG). They are enforced by the cantonal pharmacist of the canton of Schwyz, who serves four cantons in addition to Schwyz. The Obwalden website lists the office under the Sicherheits- und Sozialdepartement, with an office address in Schwyz.

Supervision of medicines and narcotics

According to ow.ch, the cantonal pharmacist is responsible for medicines and narcotics control, inspects pharmacies and medical and dental practices, and advises the authorities. Professional licences are issued by the Obwalden Gesundheitsamt (health office).

Kantonsapothekerin des Kantons SchwyzNarcotics documents of the cantonal pharmacist, Canton of Schwyz

This office belongs to the canton of Schwyz and also serves the canton of Obwalden.

Good to know

  • Under Art. 2 of the constitution, the seven municipalities are Sarnen, Kerns, Sachseln, Alpnach, Giswil, Lungern and Engelberg.
  • For inspections of medicine manufacturers and wholesalers, Obwalden belongs to the region of the Regionale Fachstelle Ost- und Zentralschweiz at the Kantonale Heilmittelkontrolle Zürich.

Pharmacies in the canton of Obwalden

We have not found a pharmacy in the canton of Obwalden that states this on its own website. These pharmacies state that they send medical cannabis preparations by post across Switzerland:

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).

The legal situation in detail

Questions about the canton of Obwalden

  • Where is the cantonal pharmacist for Obwalden based?

    In Schwyz. The cantonal pharmacist of Schwyz also serves Obwalden; ow.ch gives a postal address in Schwyz and lists the office under the Sicherheits- und Sozialdepartement.

  • Can people from Obwalden have their appointments in German?

    Yes. Appointments are held in German, English or Russian. The information call can also take place in Italian; the language of the consultation is then agreed before the appointment.

  • Does the pharmacy have to be in Obwalden?

    No. If the physician issues a prescription where medically indicated, you are free to choose the pharmacy (Art. 26 para. 2bis HMG). We have no contracts with any pharmacy.

General information, not legal advice. It does not replace a medical consultation.

Take your time to decide. The free information call covers the process, the legal situation and the costs.

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