Welcome to the front door
This guide is an independent, evidence-led resource on New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis system. It is not the former MedCan Summit, nor is it affiliated with its organiser, and it does not sell, prescribe, or supply cannabis products. Our role is narrower and, we hope, more useful: to give patients, whānau, clinicians, pharmacists, and sector readers a clear, decision-oriented map of how medicinal cannabis actually works in New Zealand, and to point you to the authoritative sources for every claim we make.
We are not a clinic, a pharmacy, or a regulator. We do not provide medical advice, endorse specific products, or make claims about the therapeutic effects of any cannabinoid beyond what is supported by peer-reviewed clinical guidance and the official New Zealand prescribing framework. Every factual claim on this page is attributed to a named source and year; where evidence is uncertain or contested, we say so plainly. Personal treatment decisions belong with a qualified prescriber or pharmacist.
How this guide is edited
This guide is written for patients, whānau, clinicians, and sector readers who need a clear, evidence-led map of New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis system. It is not a political advocacy document, and it is not affiliated with the former MedCan Summit or its organiser. We do not sell, prescribe, or endorse products. We do not take payment from producers, dispensaries, or clinics.
The editorial method is simple: every factual claim in this guide is tied to a named source and year. Where evidence is uncertain, we say so. Where a claim is a marketing claim, we label it as such. We do not give dosing advice, treatment recommendations, or product endorsements. If you are a patient, whānau member, or clinician, we point you to the official resources you need, then you make the decision with your prescriber.
The page you are reading now is the front door to a larger dossier. It answers one question: how does medicinal cannabis actually work in New Zealand, and where do I start? It then points you to the six pillar pages that own the details. This page is a map, not the territory.
What this guide is and is not
This is an independent, evidence-led guide to medicinal cannabis in New Zealand. It is not affiliated with the former MedCan Summit or its organiser, nor with any cannabis company, clinic, pharmacy, or advocacy group. The editorial method is simple: every factual claim on this site is traced to a named source and year, and where evidence is weak or contested, we say so. We do not sell products, take referral fees, or publish paid placement.
We do not provide medical advice. Nothing on this page or any page linked from it is a recommendation to use, dose, or change any cannabis product. If you are a patient, talk to a doctor or pharmacist who knows your history. If you are a clinician, the NZ Formulary and the New Zealand Ministry of Health are the authoritative prescribing references, not this guide.
The legal landscape changes. We state the law as at 2025 and cite the relevant regulator or legislation. If you are reading this later, check the New Zealand Ministry of Health and Medsafe for updates.
How this guide works
This site is organised like a decision tree, not an encyclopedia. Each page answers one question and then points you to the next relevant page. This page is the front door. Use the six pillars below to navigate.
The six pillars:
- The patient pathway, How a prescription works in New Zealand, who can prescribe, what a consultation looks like, and how dispensing happens. For patients and whānau.
- Understanding the evidence, What clinical evidence actually says about cannabis for pain, epilepsy, and symptom relief; how to read a systematic review; and where the gaps are.
- Cannabinoids and products, A clear map of THC, CBD, CBDA, terpenes, oils, flower, capsules, and the GMP products available in New Zealand.
- Safety and daily life, Adverse effects, drug interactions, driving law, workplace policy, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and practical safety around storage and administration.
- The patient pathway, The step-by-step route from a GP visit to a dispensed prescription, including costs, consultations, and how to talk to a clinician.
- Understanding the evidence, How to read clinical studies, what the systematic reviews actually say, and how to separate established evidence from marketing claims.
HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SITE: - If you are a patient or whānau: start with The patient pathway, then go to Cannabinoids and products for product types, then Safety and daily life for legal and practical boundaries. - If you are a clinician: start with Understanding the evidence, then the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme page for regulatory detail; the product landscape page will help you match products to patient needs. - If you are a pharmacist: start with the Safety and daily life page, then the product landscape page, and use the scheme page for verification requirements. - If you are a sector reader: start with the Regulatory framework page, then the Evidence page, then the Product landscape page.
FRONT MATTER: Provide an introductory paragraph under “About this guide” that states: “This guide is an independent, evidence-led resource for people navigating New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis system. It is not the former MedCan Summit, nor is it operated by its organiser, and it accepts no advertising or sponsorship from any cannabis company. Our editorial method is simple: we read the primary sources (New Zealand legislation, Medsafe decisions, the NZ Formulary, Healthify, peer-reviewed clinical guidance, and systematic reviews), attribute every claim, and flag uncertainty where the evidence is incomplete. We do not give dosing advice, and nothing on this page is a substitute for a consultation with a qualified prescriber.”
What this guide is, and what it is not
This is an independent, evidence-led front door to New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis system. It is not the former MedCan Summit or its organiser. We are not affiliated with any company, brand, prescriber, or advocacy group, and we do not accept payment for listings or endorsements.
Our job is to help you find your way through the system: the law, the products, the evidence, the patient pathway, and the practicalities of daily life. We do not give medical advice, sell products, or tell you which product to choose. Decisions about your treatment belong with a doctor or pharmacist.
This guide is organised into six pillars:
- The legal framework, what the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme is, what it allows, and what it does not allow
- The patient pathway, how a prescription works, what to expect at a clinic, and how to fill it
- Understanding the evidence, what systematic reviews and clinical guidance actually say, separated from marketing
- Cannabinoids and products, the compounds, product types, and what labels mean
- Safety and daily life, adverse effects, drug interactions, driving, work, and storage
- Costs and access, what products cost, who funds them, and how to navigate the system