Cannatherapy

Cantons · VS

Valais is bilingual: its constitution declares French and German national languages and requires equal treatment in legislation and administration (Cst. VS Art. 12). Sion is the chef-lieu, the cantonal capital (Cst. VS Art. 27), and also the largest municipality with 37'844 residents, followed by Martigny (22'513) and Monthey (19'351). The canton counted 376'113 residents on 31 December 2025 (BFS, permanent resident population).

Valais applies the federal Narcotics Act like every other canton: since 1 August 2022, physicians may prescribe medical cannabis where medically indicated, with no exceptional authorisation from the BAG (Art. 8 BetmG). Enforcement is cantonal and sits in the Service de la santé publique, whose page for pharmacists provides narcotics forms such as the acknowledgement of destruction and the narcotics inventory.

Supervision of medicines and narcotics

The cantonal pharmacist (Pharmacien cantonal or Pharmacienne cantonale) is part of the Service de la santé publique (SSP) in the Département de la santé, des affaires sociales et de la culture (DSSC). The office carries out the tasks assigned to it by cantonal and federal law, in particular the control of therapeutic products and narcotics (LS Art. 11).

Pharmacien cantonal / Pharmacienne cantonale

Good to know

  • The Service de la santé publique page for pharmacists is available in French and German.
  • Federal law lists Valais among the four multilingual cantons, with Bern, Fribourg and Graubünden (Art. 21 para. 2 SpG).

Pharmacies in the canton of Valais

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

  • In which language do the appointments take place?

    German-speaking patients can have their appointments in German, French-speaking patients have them in English, and Russian is also available. Italian is possible for the information call; the language of the consultation is then agreed before the appointment.

  • Which office supervises medicines and narcotics in Valais?

    The cantonal pharmacist within the Service de la santé publique (SSP), Département de la santé, des affaires sociales et de la culture (DSSC). The role is set out in the Loi sur la santé (LS Art. 11).

  • Do I have to use a pharmacy in Valais?

    No. You choose the pharmacy freely, in Valais or elsewhere in Switzerland (Art. 26 HMG).

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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