Medicinal cannabis is available legally in New Zealand by prescription. Patients who are considering medicinal cannabis should speak with a healthcare practitioner who can assess whether it may be appropriate for their individual circumstances.
Do You Need a Prescription?
Yes. Medicinal cannabis products used therapeutically in New Zealand are prescription medicines.
A healthcare practitioner will consider your health condition, current treatments, other medicines and the potential benefits and risks before deciding whether medicinal cannabis is appropriate.
Where Do You Start?
Patients can generally begin by speaking with:
- Their regular doctor
- A medicinal cannabis clinic
- Another qualified healthcare practitioner
You do not necessarily need to know which cannabis product you want before your consultation. Product selection and dosage should be discussed with your prescriber.
What Happens During a Consultation?
The consultation may include discussion of:
- Your symptoms and medical history
- Treatments you have already tried
- Medicines or supplements you currently take
- Potential side effects and interactions
- CBD and THC options
- Appropriate dosage and monitoring
Be open about other medicines you use so your practitioner can consider possible interactions.
How Do You Get Your Medicine?
Once a prescription has been issued, medicinal cannabis can be supplied through a pharmacy.
Availability can vary between pharmacies and products, so patients may want to ask their prescriber or pharmacist about the dispensing process.
Can You Buy Medicinal Cannabis Online Without a Prescription?
Medicinal cannabis should be obtained through legitimate New Zealand healthcare and pharmacy channels.
Be cautious about websites offering therapeutic cannabis products without appropriate prescriptions or medical oversight.
Finding Clinics and Pharmacies
Our directory helps patients discover New Zealand medicinal cannabis organisations, including clinics and pharmacies.
You can use the directory to research providers and then contact them directly for information about their services.
Official Information
For current requirements, patients should consult the New Zealand Ministry of Health — Medicinal Cannabis Information for Consumers.
Important: This article provides general educational information only and is not medical advice. A healthcare professional can advise whether medicinal cannabis may be appropriate for you.
