Medicinal cannabis: a patient FAQ

If you're new to the New Zealand medicinal cannabis scheme, the same questions come up again and again. Here are clear, sourced answers to the most common ones.

Is medicinal cannabis legal in New Zealand?

Yes — as a prescription medicine. The Medicinal Cannabis Scheme has operated since 1 April 2020. Recreational cannabis remains illegal; the 2020 referendum on legalisation was narrowly defeated. Legal access is only via a prescription from an NZ-registered doctor, dispensed through a pharmacy.

Do I need a specialist, or can my GP prescribe?

Any registered doctor, including your GP, can prescribe the great majority of products — no specialist referral or Ministerial approval needed. The real barrier is that many doctors are cautious about prescribing, which is why most patients go through dedicated cannabis clinics.

Will medicinal cannabis get me high?

It depends on the product. CBD products are non-intoxicating. THC is intoxicating, but prescribers aim for the lowest effective dose using "start low, go slow," and as the dosing literature notes, you don't need to feel high to get symptom relief. Feeling intoxicated usually means the dose is too high.

What conditions can it be prescribed for?

The scheme doesn't legally restrict prescribing to a fixed list — a doctor may prescribe for any condition within their clinical judgement. In practice, the most common reasons people use it are sleep problems, pain and mental-health symptoms. But cannabis is not a first-line treatment for any condition, and the evidence varies a lot by condition.

How strong is the evidence?

Honestly, mixed. The strongest evidence is narrow: purified CBD for rare childhood epilepsies, and THC-based products for chemotherapy nausea. For many other uses (chronic pain, anxiety, sleep) the evidence is limited or mixed, and around four in five users get some side effect.

Can I drive?

Not freely. New Zealand has roadside oral-fluid drug testing that detects THC. A prescription is only a retrospective defence — two positive roadside tests still trigger an automatic 12-hour ban, and it's always illegal to drive impaired. Plan your dosing so you're never driving with THC active.

What does it cost?

Most patients pay full cost, since Pharmac generally doesn't fund it. Expect to pay for consultations (often roughly $40–$80 initial, less for follow-ups) and the product (commonly around $100–$300 a month for moderate use, more for high-strength). Sativex, an approved medicine, is around $1,000 a month.

Can I grow my own cannabis?

No. Growing cannabis is illegal in New Zealand without a Ministry of Health licence, and cannabis seeds are a controlled drug that can't be legally imported without one. Medicinal cannabis must come through the prescription-and-pharmacy pathway.

What's the difference between "verified" and "approved" products?

A verified product meets the Minimum Quality Standard (a quality check, not a safety/efficacy assessment) and is still legally an "unapproved medicine." An approved medicine has passed Medsafe's full assessment — only Sativex and Epidyolex qualify. Most products prescribed are verified-but-unapproved, which is normal and legal.

Can I travel with it?

Sometimes, with care. Broadly, you can carry up to a one-month supply of a controlled drug in original containers with a doctor's letter, declared on arrival — but rules differ by country and some prohibit cannabis entirely. Always check the destination's rules and official NZ sources before flying.

Is CBD available without a prescription?

Not really, in practice. A 2023 reclassification provided for pharmacist-supplied low-dose CBD, but it was conditional on a product gaining Medsafe approval, and as of the latest reporting no over-the-counter CBD product was approved and available. So CBD remains effectively a prescription/pharmacist-supply medicine.

How long until I know if it's working?

It varies, and patience is part of the process. Because prescribers titrate slowly — holding each dose for several days before stepping up — it can take a few weeks to reach an effective dose and form a fair judgement. Keep a simple diary of dose, timing, effect and side effects, and review it with your prescriber. If after a careful trial there's no clear benefit, stopping is a reasonable outcome; cannabis doesn't suit everyone.

Are there people who shouldn't use it?

Yes. Cannabis is generally considered inappropriate in pregnancy, breastfeeding or when trying to conceive; for people with a significant history of psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (THC can worsen these); and for those with unstable heart or lung disease. It's used with extra caution in the frail elderly (fall risk) and in anyone on interacting medicines such as warfarin or clobazam. Your prescriber screens for all of this.

What's the difference between smoking and vaporising?

Smoking burns the plant and produces tar and harmful byproducts. Vaporising heats it without combustion, substantially reducing those harms, which is why prescribers who allow inhaled flower prefer vaporisers — ideally at lower temperatures. Inhaled products act fast but are harder to dose precisely.

Can I use my own untested cannabis instead?

No — that's illegal, and it's also unsafe from a quality standpoint. Products supplied under the scheme are tested to a minimum quality standard for contamination and accurate cannabinoid content. Black-market cannabis carries no such assurance, and using it brings legal risk and unknown potency.

Where do I start?

Decide whether to approach your own GP or a dedicated clinic, prepare your history and medication list, and go in understanding that this is a doctor-led medicine with a modest evidence base. Our pathway guide walks through the steps.

Last reviewed 21 September 2026 — education, not medical advice. Sources: Ministry of Health — Medicinal Cannabis; bpacnz; Medsafe.