Is medical cannabis right for you?
There's no fixed list of qualifying conditions in NZ — a doctor decides case by case. This short self-check is purely educational, designed to help you reflect and prepare for that conversation. It is not a diagnosis or an eligibility decision.
Last reviewed 15 June 2026 · Education, not medical advice
Do I qualify for medicinal cannabis in NZ?
There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions in NZ — any registered doctor can consider it case-by-case, weighing your history, current medicines and what you've already tried. It's not first-line for any condition, so it's usually considered after standard treatments. Only a doctor can decide; this self-check just helps you prepare.
Answer a few questions to help you prepare for a conversation with a doctor. There are no right or wrong answers, and nothing is stored or sent anywhere — this runs entirely in your browser.
1. Do you have a persistent symptom or condition (such as chronic pain, sleep difficulty, or anxiety) that affects your daily life?
2. Have you already tried standard, first-line treatments for it with a doctor?
Cannabis is not first-line for any indication in NZ — prescribers usually consider it after other options.
3. Are you willing to discuss this openly with a registered NZ doctor (your GP or a clinic)?
4. Are you aware that most products are not funded and are paid out-of-pocket?
5. Do you have a personal or strong family history of psychosis or schizophrenia?
THC can worsen psychosis risk — this is an important thing to raise with a prescriber.
6. Are you pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding?
Medicinal cannabis is generally considered inappropriate during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Eligibility FAQ
Do I qualify for medicinal cannabis in NZ?
There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions in New Zealand. Any registered doctor can consider medicinal cannabis case-by-case, weighing your history, current medicines and what you have already tried. It is not first-line for any condition, so it is usually considered after standard treatments. Only a doctor can decide.
What conditions can be considered for medicinal cannabis?
No condition is automatically excluded or included — it is prescriber judgement. Patients most often ask about chronic pain, sleep, anxiety, nausea, MS spasticity and palliative care, but the evidence varies widely by condition. mc.nz grades each condition honestly in its condition guides.
Is this self-check a diagnosis or an eligibility decision?
No. The mc.nz self-check is purely educational — it runs entirely in your browser, stores nothing, and does not assess or approve you. It only helps you reflect and prepare for a conversation with a registered NZ doctor, who makes every clinical decision.
Who should raise extra caution with a prescriber?
People with a personal or strong family history of psychosis or schizophrenia, and anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, should specifically raise this. THC can worsen psychosis risk, and cannabis is generally considered inappropriate in pregnancy and breastfeeding.