When it all began 

The medicinal properties of cannabis have been recognised for thousands of years. As far back as 2800 BC, cannabis was used to treat an array of health problems from arthritis and depression to inflammation, asthma and more. Originating from Asia, the use of medicinal cannabis was documented in ancient texts of the Indian Hindus, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans.

In the early 1800s, Māori used plant based medicines as part of their traditional rongoā practices. Plants such as koromiko, harakeke and kawakawa were used for many internal and external treatments. However, the cannabis plant is not native to Aotearoa - it was introduced in the mid-1800s with the arrival of the early settlers. 

By the 1860’s, cigarettes containing cannabis were widely advertised in Aotearoa as a complete cure for asthma and bronchitis. An 1888 issue of the New Zealand Tablet, a catholic periodical, 

described its use as an effective local anaesthetic for tooth extractions.  

Sister Mary Aubert -  Aotearoa’s first cultivator of medicinal cannabis 

Suzanne Aubert, or Sister Mary Aubert as she was popularly known, was born in France and travelled to New Zealand in 1859 to work as  a missionary. Here, she championed the rights of the poor and supported the underprivileged. Sister Mary  opened two hospitals, cared for homeless children and trained a local choir as well as selling medicines and other apothecary goods which helped support her convent financially. 

Influenced by Māori medicine, Sister Mary began experimenting with herbal remedies and eventually started to cultivate medicinal cannabis. She is widely acknowledged as the first person in Aotearoa to do so. 

Dedicated to devoting her life to others, it made sense that Sister Mary used cannabis hemp to help ease fellow nuns’ menstrual pains, as well as treating asthmatics and recovering alcoholics. 

In 1892, the Evening Post called Sister Mary's remedies "The chief proprietary medicine of New Zealand". She was so well loved, her funeral in 1926 was one of the largest ever held in the country at the time. 

Just one year after Sister Mary’s death, New Zealand passed the Dangerous Drugs Act, which made the cannabis plant a controlled substance within Aotearoa.  

When did medicinal marijuana become illegal? 

The Dangerous Drugs Act 1927 was heavily influenced by laws being introduced overseas at the time. The act prohibited opium smoking and named a number of ‘dangerous drugs’, which included cannabis. 

Cannabis was still legal to import and could be manufactured under licence. New Zealanders were also able to purchase from a doctor or a chemist with a prescription. This changed in 1955 when Aotearoa agreed to end cannabis imports in response to a request from the World Health Organisation.  

The Misuse of Drugs Act, introduced in 1975 made the possession of cannabis a criminal offence, and it ceased to be regarded as a  legitimate medicine in New Zealand.

Helen Kelly - an advocate for medicinal cannabis

Helen Kelly was a well known trade unionist and social activist from Wellington, who made history as the first woman to lead the Aotearoa New Zealand union movement.

In 2015, Kelly was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  During this time, Kelly used cannabis oil to manage the pain. Experiencing firsthand the benefits of CBD oil, Kelly became one of Aotearoa's most prominent advocates and campaigners for the legalisation of medical cannabis. 

Kelly explained that cannabis was the only medicinal product that was effective for easing her pain, getting her through the day, and helping her to sleep at night. Using her public profile to advocate for drug reform, she openly promoted cannabis use for medicinal purposes, even though it was illegal at the time.  Kelly also questioned why desperate patients weren’t able to access medicinal cannabis, instead having to revert to the black market for medicinal purposes.  

Kelly passed away in October 2016. One year later in October 2017, the Government announced their commitment to making medicinal cannabis available for people with terminal illness or chronic pain.

Where we are now

In December 2018, the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill passed its final reading. This allowed for the growing and production of cannabis for medicinal purposes. 

The Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came into effect on 1 April 2020. With the introduction of this bill, doctors became able to prescribe their patients medicinal cannabis products approved by the Ministry of Health. Read more about the scheme here.

In 2020, Aotearoa held a referendum to determine whether to legalise recreational cannabis. The results were close, with 50.7% opposing, and 48.4% in support of the legalisation. To date, recreational cannabis is illegal in New Zealand but the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme is still in place. 

Sources:

New Zealand Herald advertisement column, 5 August 1882 - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18820805.2.4.5

New Zealand Tablet advertisement column, 4 May 1888 - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT18880504.2.43.1

Suzanne Aubert, New Zealand’s saint in the making - https://www.suzanneaubert.co.nz/systems/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/AUBERT_Booklet-d3.pd