So is it legal? 

In October of 2017, the New Zealand Government announced a commitment to make medicinal cannabis available for people with terminal illness or chronic pain. In December 2017 Cabinet approved the introduction of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill. It took until December 2018 for the Bill to pass its third and final reading and come into force. This meant Aotearoa was able to start developing a medicinal cannabis industry to make products more accessible.

Regulations to support the bill, named the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, came into effect on 1 April 2020. This has allowed doctors to legally prescribe patients medicinal cannabis products that have been approved by the Ministry of Health. 

What is medicinal cannabis used for? 

Many patients use medicinal cannabis for chronic pain, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy, easing the pain of multiple sclerosis and treating some rare forms of severe epilepsy in children. 

It is also commonly used for anxiety, insomnia, joint pain and migraines, among many other conditions. 

Am I eligible for medicinal cannabis? 

Many New Zealanders seek out medicinal cannabis to help them ease physical pain and manage their mental health. It’s a great idea to discuss your options with a doctor and go from there. In saying that, it can often be a challenge to find a doctor who is on board and understands the benefits of CBD oil. 

The New Zealand Medical Journal reported 79 percent of GPs said they had "concerns" about prescribing medicinal cannabis. However, 84 percent said they would probably prescribe in the future if the drugs were publicly funded and backed by good evidence.

Another option is visiting one of the cannabis clinics around Aotearoa that have a wealth of industry knowledge and can help point you in the right direction.  

Where can I get medicinal cannabis? 

Patients need to be seen by a registered medical practitioner within New Zealand who will provide a script for the medicine to be collected from a local pharmacy. 

As you need a prescription to legally obtain medicinal cannabis, personal imports from overseas are not allowed. These products are typically available as capsules or in a liquid form, and each prescription will always note the type of medicinal cannabis product, as well as the amount to consume.

Is it expensive? 

Medicinal cannabis varies in price depending on the product and the concentration, or strength you have been prescribed. 

Currently, the daily cost of using medicinal cannabis is often between $3 - $7, with the average 25ml - 30ml bottle of CBD oil costing around $200. Many New Zealanders find the current prices quite high which is partly due to the products not being subsidised. 

If you’re budgeting for how much medicinal cannabis might cost you, it’s handy to factor in the cost of your appointment with the doctor who will provide you with your prescription. 

Can I purchase New Zealand-made medicinal cannabis? 

Since the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme launched in 2020, the local cannabis industry has been working towards providing quality CBD products for New Zealanders. Most New Zealand based companies are still under production.  

Currently patients within Aotearoa can be prescribed SativexTM, Tilray P, Tilray FS and as of 7 October 2021, SubDropsTM – which is the first locally made approved product. 

Will medicinal cannabis make me feel ‘high’? 

All medicinal cannabis products containing cannabidiol, or CBD, are non-psychoactive, meaning it does not affect your mind or mental processes, so you will never get that ‘high’ feeling from CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, is the psychoactive substance found in cannabis which produces the ‘high’.