New Zealand Launches its Medical Cannabis Program
New Zealand has officially opened its medical cannabis scheme, providing patients with access to cannabis-based medications. This program was launched by the Ministry of Health on April 1st, less than four months after the government finalized its regulatory foundation in December. Despite concerns about potential delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, the scheme was implemented as planned.
Unlike medical cannabis programs in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand’s system allows all general practitioners to prescribe medical cannabis products without oversight from a specialist. Patients will have access to pharmaceutical cannabinoid medicines and dried products that can be vaporized. However, smokable and edible forms of cannabis are still prohibited.
All medical cannabis products available under this scheme must meet good manufacturing practice standards. These standards include extensive documentation and safety testing, as set out by the country’s Medicinal Cannabis Agency.
While New Zealand will eventually allow for domestic cultivation and distribution of medical cannabis, licenses for cultivation are not expected to be issued until mid-2020. It is anticipated that products from local producers may become available in pharmacies by the end of the year. In the meantime, the country will rely on imports to meet patient demand.
Under the rules set out by the Ministry of Health, a medicinal cannabis license for New Zealand companies authorizes holders to carry out activities such as supply, nursery propagation, research, possession for manufacture, and cultivation. However, cultivation facilities are limited to 50 seeds and 20 plants. The application process for a cultivation license also incurs significant costs, with fees totaling around 12,550 New Zealand dollars ($8,200), plus an additional NZ$300 fee. If the application is for a new product supply, an additional NZ$13,400 fee applies.
These costs have been seen as a barrier to entry into the legal cannabis industry for some New Zealanders, including Māori groups. However, Eugene Rewi, the Ministry of Health Māori service improvement manager, has stated that the fees are necessary to cover auditing requirements and administrative tasks. He suggests that groups or individuals interested in entering the industry should explore alternative avenues or focus on specific areas where they can contribute.
Overall, the launch of New Zealand’s medical cannabis program represents a significant step forward in providing patients with access to cannabis-based medications. Although there are still challenges to address, such as high licensing fees, it is expected that the program will continue to evolve and improve as the domestic cultivation industry develops.
