What does it actually cost?
Medicinal cannabis is almost always paid for out-of-pocket. Pharmac does not fund it generally, so cost is the single biggest barrier patients report. Here is a realistic, factual picture — we do not promote any product or price.
Last reviewed 15 June 2026 · Education, not medical advice
Is medicinal cannabis funded in NZ?
No. Pharmac does not generally fund medicinal cannabis, so almost everyone pays out-of-pocket. You pay a prescriber service fee for the consultation, then the full product cost at a pharmacy. Only Sativex and Epidyolex are Medsafe-approved, and neither is routinely subsidised. Cost is the single biggest barrier patients report.
Initial consultation
A one-off prescriber fee. Some clinics offer a free nurse eligibility call first; some advertise free consults within an ongoing plan.
Follow-up consultations
Periodic review fees so your prescriber can adjust the product and dose and monitor for side effects.
The product itself
Dispensed at a pharmacy and paid in full. Cost varies widely by product type, strength and how much you use. Sativex, for example, has been reported around $1,000/month.
Possible extras
Letters or reports, prescription-change fees, and courier or delivery charges at some services.
Because most products are unfunded, ongoing cost can be substantial and is the main reason prescriptions are limited in NZ. Ask any clinic and pharmacy for the full expected monthly cost before you commit. A small number of patients access funding via NPPA, ACC or MSD in specific circumstances.
The Minimum Quality Standard
We do not list or promote any brand-name products. What matters for patients is understanding how products are quality-assured — not which brand to buy.
- The Medicinal Cannabis Agency (Ministry of Health) verifies products against a Minimum Quality Standard (MQS) for things like contaminants, consistency and labelling.
- Verified ≠ approved. Verified products meet the MQS but their safety and efficacy are NOT formally assessed — they are 'unapproved medicines'.
- Only Sativex (nabiximols) and Epidyolex (cannabidiol) are fully Medsafe-approved cannabis medicines.
- Your prescriber and pharmacist choose a specific product; that clinical decision is theirs, not ours.
Costs & funding FAQ
Is medicinal cannabis funded in NZ?
No. Pharmac does not generally fund medicinal-cannabis products, so patients almost always pay the full cost out-of-pocket. Only Sativex and Epidyolex are Medsafe-approved, and neither is routinely subsidised. A small number of patients access funding via NPPA, ACC or MSD in specific circumstances.
What does a medicinal cannabis consultation cost?
You pay a prescriber service fee for the initial consultation and periodic follow-ups. Some clinics offer a free nurse eligibility call first. These are service fees only — the product is dispensed and paid for separately at a pharmacy. Ask any clinic for its fees before booking.
Why can't I see product prices on mc.nz?
Nearly all NZ cannabis products are unapproved medicines, and s20 of the Medicines Act 1981 makes advertising them — including publishing prices — an offence. mc.nz explains service (consultation) fees only and never lists product prices or brands. Your clinic and pharmacy can quote your expected monthly product cost directly.
Ask for the full cost before you commit
Any clinic and pharmacy can quote your expected monthly cost. Start with the pathway.
This is general information, not medical advice. Only a registered New Zealand doctor can decide whether medicinal cannabis is right for you.
Reviewed for accuracy by the mc.nz editorial team against the cited sources. Last reviewed 15 June 2026.