Swiss Supermarket will Sell Hemp Cigarettes

One of Switzerland’s most popular supermarket chains will be selling hemp cigarettes, according to cigarette-maker Kock & Gsell. Koch & Gsell is the “World’s smallest cigarette” manufacturer that makes peculiar cigarettes. In Switzerland, the comany’s Heimet cigarettes have grown to immense popularity. Its latest product is the Heimet Tobacco & Hemp cigarette, which being touted as the world’s first CBD hemp cigarette.

The Coop supermarket chain is more than confident the cigarettes will sell well, as “hemp products are trendy.” Anyone 18 and older can buy a pack of hemp Heimat cigarettes for 19.90 Swiss francs or $20 as kiosks inside participating Coop supermarkets.

“The natural tobacco-and-hemp blend develops a bouquet of mild, sweet and spicy aromas when smoked, exuding the unmistakable scent of cannabis,” reads a statement from the company. The Eastern Switzerland-based company wants to change the way people smoke cigarettes. The cigarettes combine a mix of natural Swiss Virginia and Burley tobacco with hemp, and the company says the cigarettes share the flavor of cannabis.

Smoking the cigarettes is allowed anywhere that smoking is tolerated. The company reminded consumers that they should be aware of international laws when traveling outside the borders of the small country.

For decades, Switzerland has tolerated the sale of bags of low-THC hemp labeled as “potpourri” or “aromatic pillows,” a fad that lasted through the 2000s. It would be the first taste of cannabis for thousands of young Swiss teens. The nation’s tolerant approach of low-THC hemp and cannabis has made it easy for companies to take advantage of the loopholes.

Since September 28, 2012, it is no longer a criminal infringement to carry up to 10 grams of cannabis, and the punishment would be a maximum 100-franc fine. In 2016, the cities of Zurich, Basel, Bern and Geneva announced their intent to set up pilot cannabis clubs.