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Resources & links

Where to go next

33 trusted external sources, each verified. Official government and regulator pages, clinical guidance, patient organisations, communities and legal supply. Community links are for peer support and are not medical advice.

Last reviewed 15 June 2026 · Education, not medical advice

Official New Zealand sources

Medicinal Cannabis Agency (Ministry of Health)

The government agency that administers the NZ Medicinal Cannabis Scheme and verifies products against the minimum quality standard. Top-level hub for the scheme.

Medicinal cannabis - information for consumers (Ministry of Health)

Official consumer-facing guidance on how to access medicinal cannabis, what products are available, and patient rights.

Medicinal cannabis - information for health professionals (Ministry of Health)

Prescriber-facing rules: who can prescribe, CBD vs THC product pathways, supply limits, and the minimum quality standard.

Medicinal cannabis products that meet the minimum quality standard (Ministry of Health)

The authoritative current list of medicinal cannabis products verified to the minimum quality standard (prescribable without ministerial approval).

Classification change to low-dose CBD products (Ministry of Health news)

Explains the reclassification of low-dose CBD toward pharmacist (restricted) supply, aligning NZ with Australia. Key for anyone asking about 'CBD without a prescription'.

Medicinal cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) products (Ministry of Health)

Defines what legally counts as a CBD product in NZ (CBD >=98% of cannabinoids; specified substances <=2%) versus a controlled drug. Clears up the common confusion about high-THC 'CBD' products.

Importing and exporting medicinal cannabis (Ministry of Health)

Rules on importing/exporting cannabis material and products - including that licence holders need a controlled drug import/export licence to bring in cannabis seed or starting material.

Bringing medicines into New Zealand (Ministry of Health)

Official rules for travellers bringing prescribed medicines (incl. controlled drugs) into NZ: up to 1 month supply of controlled drugs, doctor's letter/prescription required, declare on arrival.

Medsafe - NZ Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority

NZ's medicines regulator. Full medicine approval (vs the Agency's quality-standard verification). Relevant approved cannabis medicines: Sativex and Epidyolex.

Medsafe - Importing Medicines (consumers)

Medsafe consumer guidance on importing medicines for personal use - complements the Customs and MoH pages for visitors and returning residents.

NZ Customs - Medicines (travelling to/from NZ)

Border rules: prescription medicines up to 3 months supply (controlled drugs 1 month), in original containers with doctor's letter/prescription, declared on arrival. Cannot bring meds for a third party.

NZTA / Waka Kotahi - Drug driving law changes FAQ

FAQ on NZ's drug-driving regime including the move to random roadside oral-fluid (saliva) testing and the list of drugs covered. Critical for medicinal cannabis patients who drive.

NZTA / Waka Kotahi - Changes to drug-driving laws

Official overview of the drug-driving law changes and what they mean for drivers taking prescription medication.

NZ Drug Foundation - Roadside drug testing: what you need to know

Plain-language explainer of how roadside oral-fluid drug testing works and implications for medicinal cannabis users. Complements the NZTA pages.

National Poisons Centre (0800 POISON / 0800 764 766)

Free 24/7 NZ poisons advice line. Call 0800 764 766 for accidental overdose / adverse-reaction / child ingestion concerns. Important safety resource for edibles and concentrates.

Healthify (He Puna Waiora) - Cannabis-based products

Trusted, RNZCGP-endorsed plain-language guide to medicinal cannabis: forms, evidence by condition, side effects, prescribing and travel rules. Excellent patient-friendly reference.

Healthify (He Puna Waiora) - home

NZ's trusted independent health information charity (formerly Health Navigator NZ), endorsed by RNZCGP and supported by Health NZ and Pharmac.

bpacnz - Medicinal cannabis: an overview for health practitioners

Authoritative NZ clinical/prescriber guide: regulatory pathways, evidence by indication, patient suitability and prescribing considerations. Useful for clinically-minded patients too.