Healing Access: Improving Equity in Medicinal Cannabis Care

Medicinal cannabis offers relief for many, but for some New Zealanders, it’s still out of reach. Māori, Pasifika, low-income and rural communities often face more barriers when accessing care. While telehealth and wider education have improved access for many, the system still has work to do to ensure fair and equitable access for everyone.

Cost and Equity

One of the biggest barriers is cost. Medicinal cannabis is not subsidised by PHARMAC, meaning patients must pay for both consultations and medicine. While prices have decreased over the years, many patients still pay between $120 and $400 per month. This is a challenge for many, especially for those with limited income. Most patients do not qualify for extra support such as the Community Services Card or a Disability Allowance unless very specific criteria are met.

Digital Access and Distance

Around 90% of patients now use telehealth for their first consultation. While this offers flexibility and convenience, it relies on internet access and digital literacy. In many rural and remote areas, whānau may not have access to reliable broadband or may be unfamiliar with using video calls for healthcare. Some clinics and community providers are responding by creating telehealth hubs in local spaces, such as marae or community centres, to help patients get online safely and privately.

Cultural Safety and Trust

Cannabis remains heavily stigmatised, especially among those who have faced past criminalisation. Māori, in particular, have been disproportionately affected by drug enforcement and are more likely to face legal consequences for cannabis-related offences. These experiences have understandably created distrust in the medical system. Some patients also report that when they speak to their GP about medicinal cannabis, their concerns are dismissed or not taken seriously. Trust needs to be rebuilt, and part of that is ensuring cultural safety in how care is delivered.

Community-Led Solutions

In Tairāwhiti, a compassionate access programme was developed to help patients who could not otherwise afford treatment. Led by a Māori-owned medicinal cannabis company and supported by a local community trust, this initiative provided subsidised CBD oil for dozens of patients. It helped those with chronic conditions gain consistent access to care and gave local whānau a culturally safe pathway to treatment. These kinds of community-led solutions are powerful examples of how equity can be improved from the ground up.

Where to Next?

Improving equity in medicinal cannabis care means listening to patients and communities. It means recognising that not everyone starts from the same place and ensuring the system does not unintentionally leave some people behind. For providers, that could mean offering lower-cost consultation options, partnering with local organisations, or prioritising cultural safety training. For patients, it’s about knowing that support exists, even if the system doesn’t always make it easy.

If you’re interested in learning more about our services, you can read about our approach or speak with our team here.

References

1. 1. Ministry of Health. Medicinal Cannabis Scheme. 
   2. New Zealand Medical Journal. Equity and access in the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Scheme. NZMJ. 2023;136(1583):34-45.
   3. Ministry of Social Development. Disability Allowance Guidance.
   4. NZ Drug Foundation. State of the Nation Drug Report.
   5. Rua Bioscience. Compassionate Access Programme.
   6. Royal NZ College of General Practitioners. Prescribing Medicinal Cannabis: Position Statement.
   7. NZ Drug Foundation. Cannabis Use by Ethnicity.
   8. Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa.
   9. Ministry of Health. Reducing Inequalities in Health.
   10. Ministry of Health. Medicinal cannabis products that meet the minimum quality standard.