NZ’s medicinal cannabis scheme takes effect 1 April 2020 – here’s what it means for you

NZ’s medicinal cannabis scheme takes effect 1 April 2020 – here’s what it means for you

New Zealand's new medicinal cannabis scheme has gone live, with regulations taking effect on 1 April 2020. Any doctor can now prescribe cannabis products to any patient, and local production is allowed - but no new cannabis products are available, and producers cannot yet apply for licences. This has left many patients wondering what the scheme really means for them.
Information about the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme

Information about the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme

Regulations to enable a Medicinal Cannabis Scheme were passed on the 18 December 2019. A Medicinal Cannabis Agency will be operational from 1 April 2020 to administer the scheme. This page will be updated as more information comes to hand. See the Ministry of Health website for the latest information Licensing looks set to be cheaper, better, more viable Prescribing rules will change when the regulations come into effect…
Dunne’s medicinal cannabis list will not help patients, says NORML

Dunne’s medicinal cannabis list will not help patients, says NORML

Dunne's latest announcement will make little difference to patients and is merely a smokescreen to hide the Government's lack of action, says NORML. In a press release, Peter Dunne is trumpeting the fact that he's written to medical organisations to share a list of overseas cannabis products and tell doctors to consider cannabis products with an "open mind". Ironically, the content of his message to doctors shows the ones with…

Patients can bring legally prescribed medicinal cannabis products into New Zealand

For over 20 years NORML has been advising patients who could afford it to get medicinal cannabis prescribed overseas and bring it back legally. The Misuse of Drugs Act allows any patient traveling to bring with them a personal supply of ANY prescribed drug. All countries have similar clauses, so that, for example, someone from NZ can travel with their painkillers or cancer meds. It also means anyone can…

Medical Council wrong, says NORML

Contrary to what the Medical Council says, cannabis is not illegal if used with a license or prescription, says cannabis law reform group NORML. "This is the same as with opiates such as morphine which are commonly prescribed," said spokesperson Chris Fowlie. "Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act is for issuing licenses. One of the conditions in the associated regulations is to have the written support of…