New Zealand: Government announces access to medical cannabis

The New Zealand government has decided to lift restrictions on cannabis used for medical purposes. Citizens will now be able to obtain cannabis extracts with a doctor's prescription.

This decision comes after Rose Renton, a mother who lost her son Alex in 2015 to status epilepticus, fought tirelessly to allow the prescription of medical cannabis. Alex Renton was the first patient in New Zealand to receive medical cannabis to treat his condition.

Deputy Health Minister Pierre Dunne said last week that the Department of Health will no longer need to approve the use of the cannabidiol (CBD) to address individual cases. He also made a point of highlighting the therapeutic properties of cannabidiol, which will no longer be a controlled substance: «The Cabinet has now accepted my recommendation to make this change. Consequently, I am now taking steps to remove these restrictions.»

As a result, medical cannabis extracts will be available to all patients in New Zealand with a doctor’s prescription. This decision will take effect within two months, once the deputy minister has signed the new regulations.

Rose Renton explains that if her son had been given cannabidiol from the start of his treatment, he would still be alive today. She planned to continue campaigning until she achieved her goal and medical cannabis became available nationwide.

The deputy minister also clarified that their Australian neighbors had already taken similar measures.

Mehdi Bautier