Cannatherapy

Cantons · SH

No canton grew faster in 2025 than Schaffhausen: its population rose by 1.6 percent, to 90'087 residents at 31 December 2025 (BFS). The capital, Schaffhausen, is the largest municipality with 39'228 residents, followed by Neuhausen am Rheinfall (12'198) and Thayngen (5'925). The canton is German-speaking; all of its municipalities lie in the German language region (BFS).

Since 1 August 2022, the federal rules on medical cannabis have applied in Schaffhausen as in every other canton (Art. 8 BetmG). Enforcement has been shared with the canton of Thurgau since 1 January 2018: the two cantons run a joint medicines control (gemeinsame Heilmittelkontrolle) for medicines and narcotics, based in Frauenfeld and led by one cantonal pharmacist for both cantons (Schaffhausen government release, 2017).

Supervision of medicines and narcotics

The cantonal pharmacist of Thurgau and Schaffhausen works in the Pharmazeutischer Dienst of the Amt für Gesundheit of the canton of Thurgau, within its Departement für Finanzen und Soziales. The joint medicines control enforces the law on medicines and narcotics in both cantons.

Kantonsapothekerin der Kantone Thurgau und SchaffhausenNarcotics control for Thurgau and Schaffhausen (tg.ch)

This office belongs to the canton of Thurgau and also serves the canton of Schaffhausen.

Good to know

  • The narcotics forms on the Thurgau page, such as the leaflet on handling narcotics and the return delivery note, are issued for both Thurgau and Schaffhausen (tg.ch).
  • In Schaffhausen itself, the Gesundheitsamt (health office) has issued the licences to practise for the university medical professions since 1 January 2022 (sh.ch).

Pharmacies in the canton of Schaffhausen

We have not found a pharmacy in the canton of Schaffhausen 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 Schaffhausen

  • Which office is responsible for narcotics in the canton of Schaffhausen?

    The joint medicines control of Thurgau and Schaffhausen in Frauenfeld, led by the cantonal pharmacist of both cantons. Its page on narcotics control is on the Thurgau website.

  • In which languages can people from Schaffhausen have their appointments?

    German, English or Russian, with the same physician at every appointment. The information call is also available in Italian; the language of the consultation is then agreed before the appointment.

  • Does the pharmacy have to be in Schaffhausen?

    No. If a prescription is issued, where medically indicated, you choose the pharmacy freely (Art. 26 para. 2bis HMG). We have no contracts with any pharmacy; see choosing a 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.

Book your free call10 minutes with our physician · freeGet the patient guideFree PDF: process, law, costs
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