Into the Looking Glass. What the Future Holds for Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand in 2021
It’s hard to believe that medicinal cannabis was illegal in New Zealand in all shapes and forms before 2017. In only three short years there has been a giant leap forward for the burgeoning industry in terms of research, as well as products that are now helping thousands of Kiwis throughout Aotearoa.
We expect 2021 to be an even bigger year! Sit back and enjoy as we interview the industry leaders to find out what 2021 has coming up for medicinal cannabis in NZ – from new companies to future plans.
The Major Industry Milestones of 2020
The medicinal cannabis scheme was launched which set quality requirements for all products
In April 2020, the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came into effect. The Scheme aims to improve access to quality medicinal cannabis products for patients’ needs by setting minimum product quality standards, for both CBD and THC.
Alongside the Scheme was an extension given to the transitional period, allowing medicinal cannabis products that are yet to meet the standard quality criteria to be supplied. This transitional period initially expired in November 2020, but an extension was granted for quality requirements until March 2021.
THC can now be prescribed by any registered doctor
Before 2020, any THC prescription was long winded and required Ministry of Health approval. This is no longer the case, as any registered doctor can now prescribe it to you. This includes flower for vaporising and vape products. At the moment, there is only one THC product available for GPs to prescribe – Sativex which costs anywhere from $800-$1000. We are expecting other THC products to become available this year.
The recreational cannabis referendum did not pass
In October 2020, the NZ cannabis referendum was held but did not pass. While this referendum raised the question of legalising the sale, use, production, and possession of Cannabis, being voted down does not affect the status of medicinal cannabis, which remains legal.
What’s in Store for 2021?
Overall, we expect that 2021 will bring a range of new NZ-made products into the medicinal cannabis space. This includes new CBD and THC oils and cannabis flower products. While product prices are predicted to lower as a result, we are not expecting this to happen quickly because new licences and GMP certification add overheads and slow down the process.
Here are some thoughts from New Zealand’s biggest medical cannabis players.
The introduction of cannabis flower products into New Zealand in 2021 will be a major milestone which many patients are eagerly awaiting.
Mark Lucas, CEO of Cannasouth
Cannasouth
Mark Lucas from Cannasouth is excited to start seeing the price of medicinal cannabis products come down in 2021 and start delivering much needed medicinal cannabis options to New Zealand prescribers and patients this year.
‘The rise of more medicinal cannabis options for patients and prescribers comes after years of pushing by the public for increased access to cannabis-based medicines.’
Luckily, this has paid off. Cannasouth will roll out the first products approved under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme available to patients via prescription in 2021.
As more NZ manufactured products are assessed to meet quality standards alongside imported products, the prices will start to decline. Cannasouth is one company having its first products being evaluated by the agency at the moment. If all goes to plan, 2021 will see Cannasouth bring their first imported products to patients.
Cannasouth, a science-led company, is focused on developing improved products that aim to increase the bioavailability to improve therapeutic outcomes and further reduce costs to patients. In 2021, Cannasouth’s research will move from lab to production scale while pre-clinical research continues.
Greg Mission, CEO of Eqalis based in the Bay of Plenty.
Eqalis
Greg Mission from Eqalis remains optimistic about what 2021 holds for medicinal Cannabis in NZ.
‘We feel 2021 will be a year of consolidation and growth for NZ’s medical Cannabis industry,’ he expresses. ‘The growth will come primarily from improved knowledge and understanding, bringing further confidence in the emerging field of medicine.’
Eqalis considers 2021 to be shaping up as an exciting year for buyers and prescribers alike. A small privately held company with the simple goal of enhancing the quality of people’s lives, Eqalis wants to intensify its medical cannabis program in 2021 with a clear focus on efficacy and economics.
Carmen Doran is the new CEO of Helius Therapeutics – a company that has merged both human and animal medicinal care products and is looking to consolidate this in 2021.
Helius Therapeutics
As more local producers enter the market, Helius expects to see improved access and increased options for prescribers and their patients, alongside a broader understanding of the benefits of medicinal Cannabis. Helius believes we will see partnerships emerge to create a more seamless experience for those wishing to try medicinal Cannabis.
Alongside this, patients should be able to access world-class, NZ-made medicinal Cannabis without having to break the bank.
‘This year should be the first step in improving the affordability of these medicines, although it will take time,’ Carmen, the CEO at Helius, expresses. ‘This is also the year that local, vertically-integrated cannabis companies, like ours, prepare to export to the world.’
In doing so, this will fuel innovation, and cannabis-based medicines from New Zealand are expected to be recognised amongst the world’s safest and most effective solutions.
2021 looks to be a significant year of delivery and innovation for Helius. They are proud to have completed their state-of-the-art medicinal cannabis cultivation and processing facility in Auckland, allowing them to manufacture and supply locally produced cannabis medicines in New Zealand and abroad.
Their strategy? To become the most innovative medicinal cannabis company, focused on safety and efficacy – to be the best in the world, from the edge of the world. Helius is also passionate about cannabinoids playing a role in the wellness of animals. In 2020, Helius invested in Hale, an animal health start-up, which has just launched its first natural health supplement range, called Vitality Plus™. Helius is also collaborating to develop New Zealand’s first veterinary medicine with CBD as the active ingredient.
Courtney Leticia from Medleaf Therapeautics. A company that has worked hard to deliver thousands of patients in NZ with high quality products, Medleaf is looking at 2021 with new product development in the pipeline
Medleaf Therapeutics
Courtney and Shane from Medleaf are convinced that local medicinal cannabis suppliers will move beyond selling just CBD, to selling full-spectrum oils, capsules, and flower products. However, they still wonder about the Ministry of Health’s impact on these new products and whether the government will help or hinder these new additions to the medicinal cannabis market.
Medleaf’s number one priority has been to bring medicinal cannabis prices down. They have recently publicly announced a deal with THC Global. This deal states that they won’t merely be copying other products at a lower price but forging their path with superior products that make more sense for prescribers and patients.
Additionally, Medleaf prides itself on having scoured the world to find expert growers who can meet the NZ Quality Standards right now. While they can’t indicate what’s just around the corner for specific products, Courtney and Shane suggest reading up on Ocimene, a rarely dominant terpene in Cannabis, to give you a clue on what the future holds for Medleaf.
Mark Dye from Nubu Pharma who is looking to bring access to a range of product options in 2021
Nubu Pharma
Mark and Will from NUBU Pharma consider 2021 to hold a great deal of promise for New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis patients since the affects of the new medicinal cannabis regulations are starting to take hold. Improved accessibility to a broader range of product options, formats, and medical devices are some benefits to be expected as NUBU Pharma becomes registered under the new Medicinal Cannabis Scheme and as prescriber education programmes ramp up.
This year is looking to be the busiest yet for Mark and Will.
‘2021 marks the 5th year since we first sat down and created the blueprint for NUBU Pharma,’ they state.
While both admit it has been a long and arduous process to get to where they are now, they feel like 2021 is the year when patients and prescribers in NZ will feel the impact of all that groundwork.
While they are excited about the future of NUBU, Mark and Will unfortunately can’t disclose much information about their plan to help NZ cannabis patients access a greater range of products due to the regulations set out in the Medicines Act (1981).
Rob Mitchell from Rua Bioscience – working towards locally produced products and optimistic about WINZ and ACC funding
Rua Bioscience
While there is still significant uncertainty about how many products will be available once the transition period ends on 31 March, Rob Mitchell from Rua Bioscience remains optimistic. Rua hopes to see some NZ-cultivated products in the market later in 2021 and progress on getting low-dose CBD removed from the prescription-only classification.
Rua also hopes to see a review of Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and Work and Income (WINZ) policies on funding medicinal Cannabis to make all prescriptions from registered prescribers funded for clients of these organisations. They believe the industry will work together more this year, as NZ companies are looking at opportunities to collaborate on research with universities and government research organisations. Because of this, there are likely to be several other areas, including workforce development and product labelling, requiring collaboration.
Rua has some exciting developments in 2021. They are focused on cultivating scale commercial crops, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification of their facilities, opening up additional international market opportunities, and receiving updates from their R&D programs. Also, Rua expects growth, with their first international exports by the end of 2021 and the expansion of their team.
Tilray, a Canadian based company, has been the first supplier of medicinal cannabis in NZ and is working closely with the Ministry of Health.
Tilray
Tilray believes 2021 will see many changes. As the Medicinal Cannabis Agency works hard to approve product assessments from different companies, Tilray believes this will increase the number of products available for prescribers to select. With fewer barriers in place, it will also be easy for patients to access these products. Therefore, patients and prescribers can be confident that the products being approved in NZ are pharmaceutical grade and of consistent and reliable quality that they can trust.
While Tilray is working closely with the Ministry of Health on several applications, they are restricted on sharing the details and advertising the availability of unapproved products. However, they are excited to see what 2021 will bring for their company and many others in the field.
Caduceus Medical Development
Like many in the medicinal cannabis field, Caduceus Medical Development expects the prices of products to be driven down as domestic CBD manufacturers begin to advance their products to market. They believe the domestic sector maturation will see more product options for patients and prescribers, and once the domestic manufacturers and testing laboratories get up to speed with pharmaceutical GMP and compliance, prices will begin to fall.
Tara Creaven-Capasso from Caduceus Medical Development considers the medical cannabis sector to be exciting.
‘It is not at all like life science, pharma, or med tech,’ she states.
While January so far has been relatively quiet for the medical cannabis sector, Caduceus Medical Development is excited to see what’s in store for the rest of 2021.
Greenlab
Greenlab predicts the future of NZ medicinal cannabis to be enormous in the next four to five years.
‘President Joe Biden’s administration may end the US federal prohibition that will have a cascading effect down under. Also, the move by the UN to remove Cannabis from the list of the world’s most dangerous drugs into medicinal drugs can be in New Zealand’s favour,’ they declare.
They believe that in 2021 New Zealand will further evaluate and understand its local genetics for therapeutic potential and create scientifically proven strains wanted by medical doctors and needed by patients.
Greenlab’s vision is to position New Zealand at the forefront of medicinal Cannabis, responding to the needs of cultivators, patients, prescribers, and end users. At the start of 2021, Greenlab signed a contract with Cannvalate Australia, giving Greenlab scientists vital information on local strains’ product potential. Greenlab is growing at Lincoln University’s fully controlled environment to check cannabis potency and volatile compound profiles to fast-track the work.
Dr Waseem and Lisa from the Cannabis Clinic – delivering a leading medicinal cannabis clinical service throughout NZ.
Cannabis Clinic
Dr. Waseem Alzaher from Cannabis Clinic thinks there will be three main developments for medicinal Cannabis in 2021. Firstly, new product lines on the market will allow greater access for patients and options, especially with flower-based products, which will be a considerable addition to the market. Secondly, a shift towards local suppliers and local production of NZ-made cannabis products looks to be exciting. Thirdly, he sees the trend of widespread acceptance of cannabis as a medicine happening at a greater pace.
While he acknowledges the industry has faced more obstacles than initially anticipated, Cannabis Clinic is looking to grow further in 2021 by utilising more opportunities for products as they become available.
‘While we hope for prices to come down, it is not looking like it will be happening in a rush,’ Dr Alzaher states. ‘We are looking at how as doctors, we can improve our clinical knowledge in using cannabis as there is still learning to be done for us.’
Cannabis Clinic continues to look at how they can improve their service to patients and achieve better clinical outcomes. As 2021 is also expected to allow more room for the industry to grow locally, they are confident this will increase demand for their service.
Final thoughts
2021 looks to be an exciting and innovative time for the New Zealand medicinal cannabis sector. We are likely to see new products enter the market but also some existing products phased out as they don’t meet the new quality requirements.
One of the most exciting developments will be the possible availability of flower products and more options for THC. We will also see more developments for NZ-made medicinal cannabis products.
What would you like to see from the industry leaders in 2021?
MBChB (Otago),
BSc (Auckland) -
As our tele-medicine doctor and author, Dr. Waseem keeps busy educating both patients and doctors about medicinal cannabis. He also consults with people from all over New Zealand, offering a listening ear and giving the most relevant advice.
5 thoughts on “Into the Looking Glass. What the Future Holds for Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand in 2021”
Shirley Smeaton says:
I would like to see products that are not priced out of reach of a lot of people, I and my husband are not well off and I Hope that the price of products will drop significantly in the very near future, we had to dig deep to get me what I needed, and other than breaking the law and buying straight cannabis for my chronic pain, I could not carry on affording what I needed to help me, and although I have a GP who now trusts me to monitor my own levels of pain, cannot in all good conscience write a script for what I know does work, but there are enough side effects to have most people put off, none of which I seemed to have a problem with.
Hi Shirley, thanks for your comment. Yes I understand the cost issue. The good news is that THC based products are actually a lot cheaper than CBD. They currently are $2-3 per day and expected to drop. We also expect flower products to be similar price to the blackmarket. So keep your eyes and ears on any news or notifications as things are changing quickly.
Hi, i am confused…..you say…THC can now be prescribed by any registered doctor…..but we still have to get MOH to approve 10/10 tilray and 25 tilray.
can you please explain your statement
Hi Caren, thanks for the question. We have just adjusted the article to address this confusion. Yes indeed THC is available but this will only apply as soon as the Ministry of Health approves any product they currently are assessing. Once this is done, hopefully within 2-3 months time, the MOH applications will cease. So it is legal but there are just no products at the very moment. Hope this helps
The predicted growth of the industry is exciting, I’m sure to those researching, promoting and supplying medicinal cannabis. But unless prices drop dramatically, it is somewhat academic to people like me. Like many others, I live with debilitating pain every day -sometimes excruciating, sometimes merely bad. My doctor won’t prescribe cannabis, or CBD, because he is bound by the policy of the clinic in which he works. Even if he did, the cost of the actual product is prohibitive, for people living on superannuation. So forgive me if my response to your excitement is rather luke-warm. I wish someone with some authority and knowledge would lobby for CBD, at least, to be readily available without prescription, and at over-the-counter prices, as it is in England, and, I understand in a number of European countries. I admire the work that’s being done, but the tantalising carrot remains frustratingly out of reach for so many of us. Norma
To download our free PDF and learn more about medical cannabis in NZ, click below!
Shannon Norton
BNurs
“Kia Ora! I have grown up in the beautiful, sunny Nelson and Aotearoa is my home. I completed my Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2020. I jumped straight into the DHB surgical, cardiovascular and specialist infusions unit. In this role, I was able to make special human connections as well as see a range of ailments and how best to treat them not only biomedically, but holistically too. I am extremely passionate about ensuring focus on all aspects of a person’s well being. This has led me on my journey and put me in the unique position to help others with the sacred use of medical cannabis. I believe in plant medicine and when used correctly, in combination with healthy lifestyle factors, holistic healing techniques and a balanced mind; it can change peoples lives and the trajectory of their individual health journey. Outside of work I meditate daily, and practise the art of yoga to keep my mind and body in tune. I enjoy spending time exploring natural healing techniques and am currently completing my Reiki course. I spend a lot of time connecting and staying grounded with nature and my whanau.”
“After graduating from Otago University in 2014, Dr William worked for three years in the hospital and then became a rural GP where he oversaw a wide range of patients. Most recently, Dr William has been the Clinical Director of a large Urgent Care Centre and General Practice specialising in caring for the most vulnerable. As a GP specialist, Dr William is interested in patient-centred, patient-led, medicine. Having witnessed amazing transformations in his patients using medicinal cannabis, he has decided to follow this passion to enable more to utilise the unique healing properties this ancient plant can offer. Outside of medicine I love the outdoors, gardening, listening to music, and experiencing life with my wife and 5 kids”
Dr. Grace Tong
MBChB (Auckland) FRNZCGP
“I graduated from Auckland medical school in 1997 and am still currently working as a General Practitioner of 20 years – my interest in medicinal cannabis was ignited by my patients who had dramatic relief from their symptoms. I am a NZ born and bred Chinese aka a ‘Chiwi’. I honour my parents in giving me my Chinese name that translates as “Heavenly Blessing”, which has written my life’s path and privilege to bless and serve others, especially to the broken and suffering, through physical, emotional or spiritual healing. I come from a multicultural background and enjoy sharing life with others, a good laugh, creative design and my happy place is tramping in native bush near the open sea with the tuis & fantails.”
Dr. Ximena Hunefeldt
I grew up in Peru and Germany (I’m trilingual!) which has led to my varied interests and ability to think ‘outside of the box’. My medical education was completed in Germany and during my career I have had a keen focus on drug & alcohol misuse, autoimmune diseases & ME, women’s health & hormones, as well as lifestyle & nutrition. I have been prescribing medicinal cannabis for around 4 years.
Dr. Andy Owen
DO, DC (United States)
“I graduated from medical school in Colorado (United States) in 2013 and went on to do my residency training in Rural Family Medicine through Oregon Health & Science University. I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel to Haiti, Guatemala, and Kenya providing free medical care to many underserved communities. I love the human connection we get in healthcare—I believe that being allowed to help ease someone’s suffering is a special position to be in. In my free time, I am an avid paragliding pilot and have recently expanded into paramotoring, which I’m really excited to learn! I enjoy anything outdoors—especially hiking/tramping and camping with my wife and my old dog, Moose.“
Maxine Anderson
BNurs
“I graduated from University of Auckland at the end of 2016 with a Bachelor in Nursing. I have loved nursing in the community for the past 4 years. I believe there is significant benefit in natural therapies and holistic healing for people with chronic conditions and for promoting wellbeing in general. As someone with chronic illness myself, I understand the challenges this can present in all aspects of life. I am a strong advocate for people to have access and compassionate support in using Medicinal Cannabis to alleviate their suffering. In my spare time I like to knit, connect with nature and spend time with my family and friends.”
Dr. Annie Borland
MPH, MBChB, Dip Paeds
“I graduated from the University of Auckland in 2015 and am specialising in public health medicine. I have worked across a wide range of medical specialties both in New Zealand and in the UK and am interested in how social and environmental factors influence health. I believe medicinal cannabis has great potential for improving people’s quality of life, and it is an exciting field to watch the science develop. Outside of medicine you’ll find me out hiking and identifying native birds, or in the kitchen attempting to bake the perfect sourdough.”
Please note:
Your doctor may require a consultation or follow-up before issuing any controlled drug medication.
Dr. Eileen McManus
MB, BCh, BAO, BA, MSc
“I graduated from Trinity College Medical school in Ireland in 2013 and work as a Registrar in Neurology. As a doctor my main interests are neuroimmunology, metabolic therapy and holistic/natural medicine. Outside of medicine I enjoy exercise, gardening, reading and spending time with my family.”
Lisa Peterson
BUrp, DipBA
“I love being able to support our patients through their health challenges – it’s a privilege to play a small part in their health journey. After deciding town planning wasn’t for me, my passion for the last 10 or so years has been running my own small businesses in the natural health space. In my spare time I enjoy good coffee, reading books, and binge-watching TV.”
Robyn Hewitt
DipN, PGCertHSc, PGDipHSc, MNurs
“I have been nursing for over 30 years with the majority of my career spent in Emergency Nursing. I have recently completed my Masters of Nursing. I am married with two grown up children and live in Nelson. I love tramping, trail running and mountain biking so Nelson is the perfect place to live. I am often training for some kind of event and have competed in adventure racing over the last 6 years.”
Jobelle Lara
BMLSc, NZDipBus
“I enjoy being able to take part in an industry which has the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of people. My goal in life is to help others and I want to be the person to fill that role to whoever needs it. I wholeheartedly believe that proper education and guidance on the safe use of cannabis will help people who need this medication lead a happier and healthier life. On a personal note, I enjoy cooking during my spare moments, enjoy drinking black coffee, playing with my three adorable cats and most importantly right now, trying to get myself physically fit and healthy”
Hemera Baumer Pires
“I have always had a passion for the natural world, plant-based living and helping others. My favourite way to show how delicious whole-foods can be, is by cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I love creating nutritious, allergy friendly vegan meals as I believe overall well-being can be influenced by what we consume. I have also seen first-hand the positive impact medicinal cannabis can have on such a variety of people, so am thrilled to have the opportunity to help, alongside like-minded people aid in patients’ health journeys. After spending most of my work life catering in hospitality, I have decided to focus on what I find most meaningful, my family and helping others quality of life. In my spare time I’m out fruit hunting at markets with my family.”
Shirley Mills
IIN Health Coach, NZC Personal Trainer, DipRCM
“I’ve always loved helping people with their health which makes working at The Cannabis Clinic a great fit for me. With a background in fitness and a passion for plant based eating, I have had the opportunity to work and learn from many amazing people. I love spending time outside, being active, creating delicious meals and raw treats, and enjoying time with my four adult kids.”
Ben Whitson
BSc (Nursing)
“Kia ora! I graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Health sciences (nursing) in 2017 & have since been working as a Registered Nurse in a major DHB. I am someone with a range of complex autoimmune conditions. I understand first-hand how difficult it can be to live with chronic health conditions, and the implications they can have on quality of life. I believe that Medicinal Cannabis can play a significant role in helping people reclaim their health and overall sense of wellness. In my spare time, I enjoy cannabinoid research, learning Rongoā Māori, meditation, gardening (especially growing my own produce) and road trips around Aotearoa.”
Dr. James Cameron
MBChB, RNZCGP, BSc
“I grew up in England and Brazil before moving to New Zealand where I completed studies in psychology and graduated medical school from the University of Auckland. In the following years, I worked across Auckland’s three main hospitals in a range of specialities as a junior doctor and currently work as a GP in central Auckland. The healing properties of medicinal marijuana fascinate me and I believe many patients across New Zealand stand to benefit from it.”
Dr. Grace Lavelli
MBBS, BA
“After graduating from medical school in London, I worked as a doctor in the UK for a few years before making the move to New Zealand in 2019. After spending some time travelling around I eventually decided to settle in Hawke’s Bay. My main interest as a doctor lies in mental health, and after working for a few years as a psychiatry registrar, I found myself becoming increasingly drawn to a more holistic treatment approach and considering more how lifestyle factors play an important role on both our physical and mental wellbeing. Outside of life as a doctor I love reading, baking and spending time with my goats, chickens and cat!”
Dr. Clare Halford
MBChB, Dip Paeds
“Since graduating from Liverpool, UK as a doctor in 1997, I have worked in Emergency Medicine for the past 17 years. Alongside my hospital practice, I’ve developed a strong interest in nutritional and plant medicine and have also qualified as a Qigong teacher and healer. In addition, as a digital artist and writer, I absolutely love translating complex medical information into fun, illustrated, bite-sized pieces.
I consider Medicinal Cannabis to be a sacred and wonderful plant that can help people to achieve balance and relief on many levels. It gives me great satisfaction and happiness to facilitate its safe and effective use in those who need it.”
Dr. Monica MacRae
MBChB (Auckland)
“I am a Psychiatry Registrar that graduated from Auckland Medical School in 2013. I currently spend half my time working around the North Island and living on Great Barrier Island with my whanau. I have a passionate interest in the art of healing that stems from both my professional life as a doctor, but also a personal journey with a complex autoimmune condition. My own healing journey has lead me away from conventional medicine towards more holistic, natural, psychological and spiritual methods of healing. I am dedicated to doing what I can to help support others move towards a thriving, healthy life”
Dr. Mike Foster
MBBS (London)
“I trained in St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School London 55 years ago, and after five years working as a GP in a fishing village in Newfoundland, Canada, I emigrated to New Zealand in 1974 and worked as a GP in Christchurch. In 2008 I moved to Auckland for family reasons and I worked at the Holistic Medical Centre where I learned and practiced an Integrative / Holistic style of medicine. I had always been looking for alternative ways to practice Medicine and felt more comfortable integrating orthodox medicine with nutrition, stress reduction, exercise, appropriate supplements etc. For the last ten years I worked at Integrated Health Options which was mainly an Intravenous Vitamin C and chelation clinic where we looked after many cancer patients as well as patients with complex medical problems which were not easily treated by orthodox practitioners. During my time working at IHO I saw many patients who had used cannabis with remarkable benefits. I love walking in the New Zealand Bush, and sport, especially soccer and cricket, but have been forced into watching and coming to love rugby since coming to New Zealand.”
Dr. Daniela Reyes
MBChB (Otago)
“Originally from Chile with roots also from Peru, my passion for natural medicine started when I began to understand more about my heritage. I am currently training in General Practice having completed my Medical degree in Auckland in 2014. I believe plants hold unbelievable healing properties that when combined with self-healing techniques such as yoga, mediation and a nutritious diet of mostly plant-based foods, we can enter into a state of full wellbeing and happiness. In my spare time I enjoy bush walks, identifying native plants, gardening, beekeeping, learning herbal medicine and practicing yoga and meditation”
Dr. Ali Coleman
BSc, MBChB (Auckland)
“I graduated from Auckland Medical School four years ago and have since become a Registrar in Psychiatry. As a doctor my main interests lie in mental health and the holistic treatment of illness and suffering. Outside of medicine I enjoy exercise, running, yoga and spending time with my 7 year old son and our wider Whānau”
Dr. Anne Craig
BhB, MBChB, Dip Paeds, FANZCA
“I graduated from Auckland Medical School in 1998 and became a fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 2006. I have practiced anaesthesia for over 20 years. I became interested in Medicinal Cannabis after witnessing how it has helped many people with chronic health conditions. When I’m not practicing medicine, I enjoy spending time with my two boys and practicing the ancient arts of yoga and meditation.”
Dr. Waseem Alzaher
BSc, MBChB (Otago)
“I have been practising medicine for the past 7 years and completed my training at Otago. I am a believer in using natural products, mindfulness and the power of a healthy lifestyle. Medicinal cannabis has a profound ability to change lives and I have seen this first hand. I thoroughly enjoy communicating with every patient in the clinic and supporting them in their journey. When not consulting here, I am busy with my wife and 2 young boys or enjoying a good workout”
I would like to see products that are not priced out of reach of a lot of people, I and my husband are not well off and I Hope that the price of products will drop significantly in the very near future, we had to dig deep to get me what I needed, and other than breaking the law and buying straight cannabis for my chronic pain, I could not carry on affording what I needed to help me, and although I have a GP who now trusts me to monitor my own levels of pain, cannot in all good conscience write a script for what I know does work, but there are enough side effects to have most people put off, none of which I seemed to have a problem with.
Hi Shirley, thanks for your comment. Yes I understand the cost issue. The good news is that THC based products are actually a lot cheaper than CBD. They currently are $2-3 per day and expected to drop. We also expect flower products to be similar price to the blackmarket. So keep your eyes and ears on any news or notifications as things are changing quickly.
Hi, i am confused…..you say…THC can now be prescribed by any registered doctor…..but we still have to get MOH to approve 10/10 tilray and 25 tilray.
can you please explain your statement
Hi Caren, thanks for the question. We have just adjusted the article to address this confusion. Yes indeed THC is available but this will only apply as soon as the Ministry of Health approves any product they currently are assessing. Once this is done, hopefully within 2-3 months time, the MOH applications will cease. So it is legal but there are just no products at the very moment. Hope this helps
The predicted growth of the industry is exciting, I’m sure to those researching, promoting and supplying medicinal cannabis. But unless prices drop dramatically, it is somewhat academic to people like me. Like many others, I live with debilitating pain every day -sometimes excruciating, sometimes merely bad. My doctor won’t prescribe cannabis, or CBD, because he is bound by the policy of the clinic in which he works. Even if he did, the cost of the actual product is prohibitive, for people living on superannuation. So forgive me if my response to your excitement is rather luke-warm. I wish someone with some authority and knowledge would lobby for CBD, at least, to be readily available without prescription, and at over-the-counter prices, as it is in England, and, I understand in a number of European countries. I admire the work that’s being done, but the tantalising carrot remains frustratingly out of reach for so many of us. Norma