New Zealand's medicinal cannabis scheme | Medicinal Cannabis NZ…

Medicinal cannabis in New Zealand is a regulated pharmaceutical pathway, not a general licence to use cannabis. Since 1 April 2020, the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act 2018 has allowed medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis-based medicines that meet the quality requirements set by the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, which is administered by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency (MCA) within Medsafe, New Zealand’s medicines regulator (New Zealand Ministry of Health, 2020). The scheme legalises access only through a prescription from a medical practitioner, and medicines must be manufactured to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and approved by the Ministry of Health.

The thing newcomers most often get wrong is that “legal medicinal cannabis” does not mean a patient can legally smoke raw plant material or buy unregulated preparations. The legal medicine is a manufactured pharmaceutical. Raw flower is available, but it is prescribed and dispensed through a pharmacy, not a dispensary, not a coffee shop, and not a friend with a grow tent. The Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, administered by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency within Medsafe, sits under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations2019, which came into force on1 April2020.

New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis scheme: How the scheme works

New Zealand’s Medicinal Cannabis Scheme is the regulatory framework that allows a medical practitioner to prescribe a manufactured cannabis medicine to a patient. It does not change the legal status of cannabis as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act1975. The scheme was introduced by the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act2018 and became fully operational on1 April2020, when the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations2019 came into force (New Zealand Ministry of Health,2020).

The scheme is administered by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency (MCA), which sits within Medsafe. The MCA licences companies to cultivate, manufacture, supply and prescribe medicinal cannabis preparations, and it maintains the public register of items that meet the required quality level. The legal route is always the same: a medical practitioner issues a prescription, and a licensed pharmacy dispenses a preparation that has been assessed against the quality requirements of the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act1975, cannabis remains a controlled drug. The New Zealand Ministry of Health publishes the rules and approvals; the NZ Formulary lists the prescribing guidance that clinicians use.

The patient pathway

The patient pathway is straightforward in theory: a doctor who believes cannabis may help issues a prescription, the prescription is taken to a licensed pharmacy, and the pharmacy sources a scheme-approved preparation. In practice, most GPs are not yet authorised prescribers and many refer to specialists or clinics that work within the scheme.

A patient must first consult a medical practitioner (GP or specialist). The practitioner assesses eligibility, discusses risks and benefits, and if appropriate, writes a prescription. The prescription is taken to a pharmacy that stocks or can order the medicine. The pharmacy dispenses the medicine with counselling. Some patients use a specialist cannabis clinic. The prescription is not funded by Pharmac; the patient pays the full cost, typically NZD200-600 per month (2024 figures from the New Zealand Drug Foundation). The patient must also meet the legal requirements: be over18 (or have a guardian), have a qualifying condition, and have exhausted conventional treatments.

Who can prescribe

A medical practitioner (a doctor, or in some cases a nurse practitioner) can prescribe a CBD or THC preparation if they consider it clinically appropriate. The prescriber does not need a special licence under the scheme, but must follow the requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations1977. Since1 April2020, the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme allows New Zealand-registered medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis preparations that meet GMP. The prescription is written on a controlled drug prescription form. The patient does not need a special licence.

Any doctor can prescribe, but in practice most GPs refer to a cannabis clinic or specialist. The prescriber must complete a controlled drug prescription form, and the patient must be under their care. The medicine is dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.

What can be prescribed

The scheme covers two main categories: CBD-dominant and THC-dominant medicines, plus balanced (1:1) options. All must meet GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), be approved by the Ministry of Health, and be dispensed by a pharmacist. The raw flower (dried bud) is a legal medicine when prescribed and dispensed through a pharmacy; it is not a licence to smoke raw plant material bought elsewhere.

As of2025, over30 medicines are available by prescription. They include dried flower for inhalation, oils, capsules, and oral sprays. Flower is not smoked; it is vaporised. The raw plant material is not a legal “herbal remedy” and cannot be sold outside the prescription pathway. Medicines are categorised by THC and CBD content, and the ratio matters more than the absolute numbers for clinical effect.

Quality and licensing

Medicines must meet GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), be tested for contaminants, and be approved by the Ministry of Health. The Medicinal Cannabis Agency (MCA) manages licences for cultivation, manufacture, supply, and import/export. Medicines are listed on the NZ Formulary with specific monographs. The scheme does not cover raw plant material for smoking; flower is available but must be prescribed and dispensed through a pharmacy.

The MCA licences companies to cultivate, manufacture, import and supply medicinal cannabis preparations. The scheme began with the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act, which was passed in December2018 and came into force on1 April2020. Under the scheme, a medical practitioner can prescribe a “controlled drug” for a patient, but the medicine must be a “prescription medicine” that meets the quality requirements set out in the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations2019.

The MCA maintains a public list of “controlled drug” medicines that meet the minimum quality level. The scheme does not legalise recreational use. Possession of cannabis for personal use remains illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act1975, even for registered patients, unless the medicine was supplied through a lawful prescription and is in their possession for the prescribed purpose.

What the scheme does not allow

The scheme does not create a general licence to use cannabis, and it does not legalise smoking raw plant material outside a prescription. The medicines are manufactured pharmaceuticals, not raw plant material sold over the counter. The raw flower, while available, is prescribed and dispensed through a pharmacy, not a dispensary.

What to do before you book an appointment

Check your condition against the evidence. The scheme does not specify a fixed list of qualifying conditions. Prescribers assess whether conventional treatments have been tried and whether there is evidence that cannabis may help. Conditions most commonly supported include chronic pain, spasticity from multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and certain forms of epilepsy.
Collect your treatment history. Bring a summary of diagnoses, medications tried, and outcomes. A specialist clinic will ask for this before the first consultation. If you do not have a clear record of what you have already tried, your GP may be asked to provide it.
Decide between a GP and a specialist clinic. Some GPs prescribe directly, but many do not. Specialist cannabis clinics exist in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and other centres, and most offer telehealth. Wait times and consultation fees vary. Ask about both before you book.
Understand the cost before you commit. A consultation typically costs NZD100-250. The medicine itself is not subsidised. Monthly costs range from roughly NZD200 to NZD600 depending on the preparation, dose and pharmacy pricing. Ask the clinic for a written estimate that covers the consultation, follow-up and the likely monthly medicine cost.
Know the driving rules. It is an offence to drive while impaired by a controlled drug. The presence of THC in a roadside saliva test can result in prosecution even if you hold a valid prescription. Discuss this with your prescriber and check the New Zealand Transport Agency and New Zealand Police guidance before you drive.

How to get a prescription and fill it

At the consultation

Tell the practitioner what you have tried, what worked and what did not. Ask directly about the expected onset of effect, side effects, and how long a trial should last before you decide whether to continue. The prescriber must complete a controlled drug prescription form. Confirm that the pharmacy named on the form can source the specific medicine.

At the pharmacy

Take the prescription to a licensed pharmacy. Not every pharmacy stocks medicinal cannabis; call ahead and ask whether they can order it and how long that takes. The pharmacist must counsel you on use, storage and adverse effects. Ask for written instructions if you are unsure about dosing.

Ongoing care

Your prescriber should schedule a follow-up to review effect and side effects. Dose adjustments are common in the first two months. Keep a short daily log of symptoms, dose and any unwanted effects to bring to the review.

What the law says about possession and use

Possession of cannabis for personal use remains illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act1975, even for registered patients, unless the medicine was supplied through a lawful prescription and is in their possession for the prescribed purpose. The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act2018 created the framework, and the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations2019 set the rules that took effect on1 April2020.

In2020, the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came into force under the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act2018, replacing the previous “compassionate supply” pathway. The scheme allows any medical practitioner to prescribe, and medicines must meet GMP and be notified to the Ministry of Health. The Medicinal Cannabis Agency (MCA) within Medsafe issues licences and manages the scheme. The NZ Formulary lists cannabis medicines with official guidance for prescribers.