The first medical cannabis flowers arrive in New Zealand

New Zealand patients will soon be able to receive cannabis flowers following the arrival of three Australian products in the country.

The company Australian Natural Therapeutics Group (ANTG) is thus the first company authorized to legally sell cannabis flower Medical cannabis in New Zealand, through the New Zealand-based company NUBU Pharmaceuticals, which will distribute its products.

«This is a historic moment in medicine for both countries, meaning that New Zealand patients can finally visit their primary care physician to request alternative medicines for conditions such as chronic pain and many others,» said Matt Cantelo, CEO of ANTG.

The three approved strains are Eve (14% CBD and THC < 1%), Rocky (El Jefe, 30% THC), and Mariposa (OG Kush, 14% THC).

Founded in 2015, ANTG owns several Cannabis Licenses in Australia, including research, cultivation, and manufacturing; import and export; as well as a hemp production license, in addition to GACP and GMP certification.

«We have grown products that meet the required medical standards, particularly in terms of quality and purity—even more so than other countries like Canada, which are leaders in medical cannabis cultivation,» said Mr. Cantelo. «Australia’s high standards for the cultivation and production of medical cannabis place us at the forefront globally.»

While the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme is took effect on April 1, 2020, in New Zealand, products are trickling in to patients due to various bottlenecks and burdensome bureaucracy for cannabis companies.

For now, New Zealand patients are relying primarily on imported products while they wait for New Zealand companies, such as Helius Therapeutics and Puro, to be able to distribute locally produced medical cannabis.