A couple of months ago, I went to visit New Zealand. (You can read all of my adventures during the trip here.) However, I did not go just for a vacation but rather it was a business trip. I love combining travel and business. When countries legalize, I go there and try to drum up business. Recently, I went to New Zealand and helped someone with their application.
New Zealand implemented The Misuse of Drugs Act in 1975, which made unauthorized possession, growth, distribution, and sale of any amount of cannabis illegal in New Zealand. New Zealand has legalized the use of cannabis-based products for medical purposes.
Cannabis in New Zealand
The term “cannabis-based products” includes several types of products containing extracts of the cannabis plant. Cannabis-based products are classified as Class B1controlled drugs. Ministerial approval is required before most can be prescribed, supplied or administered, in accordance with regulation 22 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977.
In early 2017, access to cannabis-based products became easier for patients when Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne announced that Ministerial approval is no longer needed for select cannabis-based products.
Later that year, New Zealand’s prime minister, announced that New Zealand will hold a public referendum prior to or during the 2020 election regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis.
Towards the end of 2017, the Misuse of Drugs (Medical Cannabis) Amendment Bill was introduced, which seeks to allow possession and use of medical cannabis for terminally ill people.
Medical Cannabis Business Details
The law of New Zealand does not allow for commercial growth, production, or sale of medical cannabis. Patients access the cannabis-based products through their certified physician.
In addition, Hikurangi Enterprises, a hemp production company, was granted its first cannabis cultivation license in New Zealand.
There are two types of licenses available currently in New Zealand: General license and Research and breeding license.
Read more about the New Zealand process and history, click here.
To download more information regarding New Zealand, click here.
