Medical Cannabis in New Zealand — A Patient Guide | KiwiMeds

ByRamon Wong, BPharm

✅ Reviewed by Ramon Wong, BPharm, Registered Pharmacist (New Zealand) | May 2026 — This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always seek professional guidance before making changes to your medications.

Medical cannabis in New Zealand is a legitimate, legal treatment pathway for certain health conditions. Since 2020, patients have been able to access cannabis-based medicines through their doctor — but the system is complex, products are expensive, and none are funded by Pharmac. This guide explains what medical cannabis is, how to access it in NZ, what products are available, and what conditions it may help with.

Is medical cannabis legal in New Zealand?

Yes. Medical cannabis became legal in New Zealand in April 2020 under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health. Under this scheme:

  • Any registered doctor or nurse practitioner can prescribe medical cannabis products
  • Products must meet quality standards set by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency
  • Products may be imported or manufactured domestically under licence
  • Patients must have a valid prescription — recreational use remains illegal

Medical cannabis is regulated as a prescription medicine under the Medicines Act 1981, alongside the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019.

What is medical cannabis and how does it work?

Cannabis-based medicines contain one or more active compounds from the cannabis plant:

  • CBD (cannabidiol) — non-psychoactive; the compound responsible for most therapeutic effects in pain, anxiety, and inflammation
  • THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) — the psychoactive compound; also has therapeutic effects on pain, nausea, appetite, and sleep
  • Combination products — contain both CBD and THC in various ratios

These compounds interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system — a signalling network involved in pain, mood, appetite, sleep, and immune function.

What conditions can medical cannabis treat in NZ?

NZ law does not restrict prescribing to specific conditions — doctors can prescribe medical cannabis when they believe a patient may benefit and other treatments have not been adequate. Common conditions for which medical cannabis is prescribed include:

  • Chronic pain (including neuropathic pain, cancer pain, fibromyalgia)
  • Anxiety and PTSD
  • Epilepsy and seizure disorders — particularly treatment-resistant epilepsy in children
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) — spasticity and pain
  • Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
  • Sleep disorders
  • Palliative care — improving quality of life in serious illness
  • Inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

Evidence varies by condition. Epilepsy (particularly with CBD-based products like Epidyolex) and MS spasticity (with Sativex) have the strongest clinical evidence. Evidence for chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep is emerging but less conclusive.

Medical cannabis products available in New Zealand

A growing number of products are available in NZ under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme. These include:

  • Epidyolex (CBD oral solution) — specifically for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (rare forms of epilepsy); this is the most rigorously studied cannabis-based medicine
  • Sativex (nabiximols oral spray) — equal CBD:THC combination; approved for MS spasticity
  • CBD oils and capsules — various brands; widely prescribed for pain, anxiety, and sleep
  • THC-containing oils and capsules — for pain, nausea, sleep; require more caution due to psychoactive effects
  • Dried cannabis flower — for vaporisation (smoking is not recommended medically); available from licensed suppliers

How to get medical cannabis in New Zealand

The pathway to accessing medical cannabis in NZ:

  • Step 1: Talk to your doctor — Any GP, specialist, or nurse practitioner can prescribe. Be honest about your symptoms and previous treatments that haven’t worked
  • Step 2: Doctor assessment — Your doctor will assess whether medical cannabis is appropriate given your condition, medical history, and medications
  • Step 3: Prescription issued — If appropriate, the doctor writes a prescription for a specific product
  • Step 4: Obtain the product — Most medical cannabis products are ordered through licensed pharmacies or directly from licensed suppliers; some require cold-chain delivery
  • Step 5: Follow-up — Regular review appointments are important to assess effectiveness and adjust dose

Some clinics specialise in medical cannabis prescribing in NZ and can often provide faster access than through a standard GP referral.

Cost of medical cannabis in NZ — is it funded?

Medical cannabis is not funded by Pharmac in New Zealand. Patients pay full private costs, which vary widely by product:

  • CBD oils: Approximately $80–$300 per month depending on dose and brand
  • Epidyolex: Around $800–$1,500+ per month (high-quality pharmaceutical-grade CBD)
  • Sativex: Approximately $500–$700 per month
  • Dried flower: Varies widely by strain and quantity

Some private health insurance policies may partially cover medical cannabis — check with your insurer. Pharmac has received applications for funding certain products; changes may occur in the future.

Side effects and risks of medical cannabis

Medical cannabis is generally well tolerated when used appropriately, but side effects can include:

  • CBD: Fatigue, diarrhoea, appetite changes, potential liver enzyme elevation at high doses
  • THC: Dizziness, sedation, dry mouth, impaired memory, anxiety or paranoia (especially at high doses), psychoactive effects, increased appetite
  • THC-containing products: Impair driving ability — it is illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis in NZ regardless of prescription status

Long-term risks include potential dependence with regular THC use, impact on mental health (particularly in those with a personal or family history of psychosis), and effects on brain development (medical cannabis is generally not used in under-18s except in exceptional circumstances like severe epilepsy).

Can I drive if I’m on medical cannabis?

This is one of the most important questions for NZ patients. The law is clear:

  • Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal in NZ, whether or not you have a prescription
  • THC impairs reaction time, coordination, and judgment
  • Police can use roadside oral fluid testing to detect recent cannabis use
  • CBD-only products (without THC) are unlikely to cause driving impairment, but patients should still exercise caution and discuss with their prescriber

If you take THC-containing products, do not drive — even if you feel you are not impaired. The legal threshold in NZ is zero tolerance for THC while driving.

Medical cannabis interactions with other medications

CBD in particular is a significant inhibitor of liver enzymes (especially CYP2C19 and CYP3A4), which means it can affect the metabolism of many other medicines:

  • Blood thinners (warfarin) — CBD can increase warfarin levels significantly; close INR monitoring required
  • Anti-epileptic drugs (e.g., clobazam, valproate) — CBD can increase levels of some anti-epileptics
  • Sedatives, sleep medicines, opioids — combined sedative effects with THC; increased risk of over-sedation
  • Many other prescription medicines — always tell your pharmacist and doctor about all your medications before starting medical cannabis

Frequently asked questions about medical cannabis in NZ

Do I need a specialist to get medical cannabis?
No. Any GP or nurse practitioner can prescribe medical cannabis in NZ. You do not need a specialist referral, though some GPs may prefer to refer complex cases.

Can I travel internationally with my medical cannabis prescription?
No — or at least not without very careful planning. Most countries do not recognise NZ medical cannabis prescriptions, and cannabis remains illegal in many places. Crossing international borders with cannabis products can result in arrest and serious legal consequences. Always research the laws of your destination country well in advance.

Will medical cannabis show up on a drug test?
Yes. Standard workplace drug tests detect THC metabolites, and a medical prescription does not exempt you from workplace drug testing policies. Discuss this with your employer and prescriber before starting THC-containing products. CBD-only products are less likely to cause a positive test, but cannot be guaranteed to be negative.

Is CBD oil the same as medical cannabis?
Not necessarily. Some low-strength CBD products are sold as dietary supplements without a prescription, but these are technically illegal in NZ unless the CBD level is below 2% per dose. True medical cannabis CBD oil requires a prescription and must meet quality standards under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme.

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