Guide to Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand & What it can do for you
Medicinal cannabis in New Zealand is legal now, and there are many ways to use it. The plant has been used medicinally for thousands of years, but its use in New Zealand has only recently been approved by the government. Because it’s a new field, there are still many unknowns about how best to use it as medicine and what kind of benefits you might expect from using cannabis oil or other products.
Legal Changes to Medicinal Cannabis
The legal changes to medicinal cannabis in NZ were announced by the Minister of Health in December 2018. The changes are a result of people taking the initiative to use medical cannabis, often with limited support from medical professionals. In many cases, it has taken years for patients to get access to it, which can be life-saving for some people but also very difficult or impossible to obtain for others.
The changes came into effect on 1 June 2019 and made it easier for people who need this now or in future to access it without needing a new prescription each time they want more medicine.
How to Use Medicinal Cannabis
Cannabis oil is a concentrated form of the cannabis plant and can be taken in different ways to achieve the desired effect.
- You can use it in a vaporiser to inhale vapour from heated oil.
- You can mix it with food or drink it as an edible (e.g., baked into cookies).
- You can apply it topically (on skin or hair).
- You can take capsules containing cannabis oil.
Each form has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose the method that works best for you!
What are the Risks?
The risks of using cannabis are minimal, and there are no known side effects. This is because it is a natural product, unlike synthetic drugs, which can have negative side effects.
Who is Eligible for Medicinal Cannabis?
- You must be 18 or over.
- You must have a valid NZ ID, such as your driver’s license or passport (and any overseas visa)
- Your doctor needs to prescribe medicinal cannabis for you and provide their details on the prescription. If you don’t already have a GP, check out this list of GPs in Auckland who is currently registered with the Ministry of Health to prescribe medicinal cannabis as part of the programme.
If you do not get an approval letter from Med safe within 3 months of applying, then they will automatically reject your application, so we strongly recommend applying as soon as possible after receiving confirmation from your doctor that he/she is willing to help fill out all necessary paperwork for approval by Med safe.
Types of Medicinal Cannabis products
The common forms of medicinal cannabis products are:
- Cannabis oil
- Cannabis tincture
- Capsules containing cannabis extract and/or oil (liquid or solid)
- Topical balms, salves and lotions containing cannabis extract or oil in a range of strengths and formulation types. You can also find these in spray form if you have difficulty swallowing. All these products are usually available at your local pharmacy or health store.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you to understand more about it and its legal status in New Zealand. If you are interested in trying it out, it’s important to remember that there are certain guidelines you need to follow before being prescribed by your doctor so he or she can make sure this treatment is right for you and your specific condition. For more information visit this website!
