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Health
High time: Why older Kiwis are turning to medicinal cannabis
Is medicinal cannabis a friend or foe? Demand for medicinal cannabis is booming, but experts are divided on its safety and efficacy. What conditions has it been proven to treat, how can you get it and are there risks?
By Sabrina Rogers-Anderson
Remember when cannabis was considered an illicit drug to be smoked secretly in a back alley?
All that changed during the implementation of the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme in 2020. Ever since then, the use of medicinal cannabis in New Zealand has seen a significant increase.
In fact, findings from a recent New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey show that, “The proportion of medicinal cannabis users who had a prescription for cannabis [has] increased sharply from only 9 per cent in 2022/2023 to 37 per cent in 2024.”
But what has it actually been proven to be effective for, is it safe and where can you get it? Here’s what the latest research and medical experts have to say.
What is medicinal cannabis?
Medicinal cannabis is a medicine derived from the cannabis plant. Recreational cannabis is still illegal in New Zealand, although possession of small amounts is often dealt with through a fine or diversion rather than prosecution. Manufacturing or supplying is met with harsher penalties.
However, it is legal for patients with a prescription from a doctor and can be accessed through approved products listed under New Zealand's Medicinal Cannabis Scheme.
“The two main compounds in cannabinoid-based medicines are THC [tetrahydrocannabinol] and CBD [cannabidiol],” Dr Cilla Zhou, Research Officer and Media Manager at the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, told Citro.
Medicinal cannabis products often have specific ratios of cannabinoids, particularly THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
“THC is the main compound that’s psychoactive, which means that it has an effect on the brain and makes you feel high. CBD doesn't make you feel high, but that doesn’t mean it’s not psychoactive. It still has an effect on the brain, but without the high.”
In New Zealand, a variety of medicinal cannabis products containing CBD, THC, or a combination of both are available by prescription. These products come in forms such as oils, capsules, and oral sprays. Other formats like herbal material for vaporisation are also permitted, provided they meet the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme's quality standards.
What conditions can medicinal cannabis treat?
Medicinal cannabis is often prescribed to help manage:
- Chronic pain
- Cancer-related symptoms (such as pain, nausea and reduced appetite)
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
But many leading medical experts are quick to point out that the scientific evidence to back up its effectiveness in treating some of these conditions, particularly chronic pain, simply isn’t there.
Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Steve Robson told the ABC that while medicinal cannabis has been shown to be useful in conditions including epilepsy and palliative care, the evidence was “very flimsy” when it came to chronic pain.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) vice president Michael Clements echoed Robson’s position and added that he was concerned doctors might cash in on the high demand for cannabis products.
“There's quite a bit of evidence showing that THC can help with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and any associated appetite issues cancer patients might have,” says Dr Zhou. “There’s also some emerging evidence that THC can promote sleep, but its effectiveness is highly variable and that's likely due to tolerance and regularity of use. When you’re using it to promote sleep, you're likely using it every night.
“The TGA down-scheduled low doses of CBD so that it's now legal to sell them over the counter, but there aren't currently any products available. There’s a bit of a lag with the commercial companies getting their products approved. But the issue is that there hasn't been much efficacy shown with CBD in lower doses.
“In terms of high doses of CBD, we recently published a review that showed some efficacy in managing anxiety and substance use disorders.
“There are also a few clinical trials that are looking at the effectiveness of cannabinoids in treating inflammatory conditions including inflammatory bowel syndrome and arthritis, but more research is needed.”
For some medicinal cannabis users, the controversial drug has been a lifesaver. “After several years of taking antidepressants for depression and anxiety with limited effects, my GP suggested medical cannabis,” says David.
“I’ve been taking it for 3 years now and it’s changed my life. It’s made me happier and helped with sleep onset. I use it a few times a week and I feel I can stop quite easily without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.”
How do you obtain it?
The regulation of medicinal cannabis products is overseen by the Ministry of Health NZ and administered by The Medicinal Cannabis Agency. Medicinal cannabis products must meet stringent quality, safety, and efficacy standards before they can be approved for use.
As of March 2025, the only medicinal cannabis products approved in New Zealand are: Sativex, an oromucosal spray containing a 1:1 ratio of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), approved for the treatment of muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis; and Epidyolex, an oral solution containing CBD, approved for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two severe forms of epilepsy.
Any registered medical practitioner, such as a general practitioner (GP) or specialist, can prescribe medicinal cannabis to a patient if they believe it is clinically appropriate.
The product must meet the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme’s minimum quality standards and be on the list of approved products. If a product has not yet been verified as meeting these standards, the doctor may apply to the Medicinal Cannabis Agency for special approval, but this is generally only necessary for unverified or imported products.
Patients seeking medicinal cannabis products must consult a registered medical practitioner to obtain a prescription, then the product can be dispensed by a pharmacy. Personal imports of medicinal cannabis products are prohibited under New Zealand law.
It should also be noted that Medsafe reclassified cannabidiol (CBD) from a prescription-only medicine to a restricted (pharmacist-only) medicine. This change allows for the potential future supply of approved low-dose CBD products by registered pharmacists to patients aged 18 years and over.
What are the risks?
“I can only talk about risk from a research perspective, so I encourage people to speak to their health professional to find out their personal health risk,” says Dr Zhou.
“The main risks are around the use of THC. A lot of people use it daily and in potent doses to manage their symptoms, and this can lead to a higher risk of experiencing cannabis use disorder. With THC, there’s also a risk for people who have a history or family history of psychosis-related disorder.
“Cannabinoids are known to interact with enzymes that metabolise the drugs in our bodies, so it's important to verify any possible interactions with other medications.”
When Danielle tried medicinal cannabis for her anxiety, she wasn’t worried at all because she’d smoked recreational marijuana in the past. “I only had a tiny bit and next minute, I thought I was on an acid trip,” she says. “I walked out of the shower and lay down on my bed soaking wet, thinking, ‘This is not okay.’ It made my anxiety so much worse, so I just threw it out and never touched it again.”
Some experts, including Monash University pain researcher Professor Rachelle Buchbinder, worry that a cannabis epidemic could replace the opioid one. And with her review of the data showing that it has very little effect on pain, she feels it would be all for nothing.
But academic director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics Professor Iain McGregor told The Sydney Morning Herald that these concerns were overblown.
“Sensory measures of pain may not change that much with cannabis,” he said. “But what does seem to change is people’s ability to get on with and enjoy their lives. And that’s fantastically useful.
“To try to equate medicinal cannabis uptake with the opioid epidemic is grotesque. Opioids kill people. Cannabinoids do not.”
Making an informed decision
Is medicinal cannabis right for you? The best way to find out is to ask your GP who will take your entire medical history and list of medications into account.
The information on this page is general information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Do not use the information found on this page as a substitute for professional health care advice. Any information you find on this page or on external sites which are linked to on this page should be verified with your professional healthcare provider.
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