A recent survey found that more patients are accessing medicinal cannabis, with Northland one of the regions where it's easy to access the products.
A recent survey found that more patients are accessing medicinal cannabis, with Northland one of the regions where it's easy to access the products.
Four years after the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme was set up, findings from the latest New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS) revealed that prescriptions for medicinal cannabis have increased from 9% in 2022/23 to 37% in 2024.
The survey released by Massey University’s SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre also found that cannabis clinics and pharmacies are the main source, rather than the illicit market.
Associate professor Marta Rychert – who was part of the research team – said the survey confirmed what they already knew from health statistics.
Dr Marta Rychert, senior research officer at Massey University. Photo / Supplied
“This survey just shows the extent of this trend and the impact on the illegal sourcing of cannabis by patients. The proportion of users who had a script quadrupled compared to the previous survey wave.”
The leading reasons to use cannabis medically were mental health conditions, sleep issues and pain. Nearly half (42%) of female medicinal cannabis users used it to help with symptoms of women’s health conditions like endometriosis.
Although 60% of medical cannabis users never asked a doctor for a prescription, this improved compared to the previous survey wave, when 85% indicated they never asked.
Perceptions of stigma have also decreased. Worrying about the cost of legal products is now the leading reason people don’t use the scheme, whereas in the past it was the concern that the doctor would not prescribe it.
“But more likely the greatest impact on accessibility is from the private cannabis clinics that specialise in medical cannabis prescribing. Some cannabis clinics also operate their own dispensaries, and this way of access was more popular among respondents than a traditional route via a pharmacy,” Rychert said.
“Prices of prescribed medicinal cannabis products have also fallen in the past year, and in many cases are comparable with the illegal market. Consumers’ perception of prices may change with more time.”
A patient’s perspective: Life beyond opiates
Jane, from Kaitāia, is a cannabis clinic patient who lives in constant pain after an ankle injury in 2020. She said medicinal cannabis products have been a big help to her.
“I was on opiates, morphine, and the dosage was creeping up and up to a point where I couldn’t think straight, I was basically a zombie. I started on THC oil and cannabis plant vapes and it relaxes me and relieves the pain around my nerves.
“It brings my pain from an eight or 10 down to a five … I have no regrets in making the change, the opiates affected me badly and with this there are no side effects like the opiates.”
Jane said she hopes that soon cannabis products can be funded by the Government as she spends anything between $300 to $450 a month.
The former nurse added that while she has never used the illicit market, she understands that for some it may be a cheaper option.
“I don’t advocate for illegal use, as a nurse I have always been against drugs because I have seen what it can do to people. I wish it could be funded.”
Green fairies v clinics: A tale of two cannabis worlds
CEO and co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic Dr Waseem Alzaher said it was encouraging to see numbers grow.
“That means people are becoming more aware and people are more trusting of the products, because trust is a big factor. They trust us as doctors and can speak to us without fear of stigma and judgment.
“We see people of all ages, but a large portion of our customers are between 35 and 55, there is also a good number of people in the 60+ age group. Then in smaller numbers we have people in their 20s and even smaller numbers in kids.”
Dr Waseem Alzaher CEO and co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic said the increase in prescriptions was encouraging.
He said depending on the prescription, it costs about $5 a day, prices he said are comparable to the illicit market.
“Most people that come from the illicit market are surprised at how comparable the two are, they think it’s expensive because that is what headlines mostly say, giving people the wrong impression and leaving them to think it’s easier to get the illegal route.”
He said while green fairies have the intention to help and were the only way to get products a few years ago, he believes they can help in better educating people.
“They can be advocates for plant-based treatment. That would be a valuable thing they could do. They should sell people’s lives because some people are living miserable lives, in pain that is stopping them from living their full lives. We need ambassadors and what better way than to have people that believe in it so much.”
The Cannabis Clinic supplies medical cannabis products to patients across the country.
A local green fairy, who has been studying cannabis for over 35 years, said he believes they still have an important role to play in the industry.
“I have saved many lives and helped many, so I will continue to do God’s work. People have come to me to help with auto-immune diseases, cancers, epilepsy, sleep disorders, stress and more.”
He was also sceptical about the efficacy of the regulated products and said not many can afford it.
“Half are overpriced and over-processed, it can be up to triple the price of quality home-grown, made products.”
He said since the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came into effect that there has been no change for them.
Safe prescribing standards
Medical Council of New Zealand chairwoman Dr Rachelle Love said they recognise the growing public interest in medicinal cannabis and remain committed to supporting and guiding doctors.
“If new concerns or trends emerge, the council will consider whether updates to our guidance are necessary to reflect safe prescribing practices. Our role is to ensure that doctors practising in Aotearoa New Zealand are well-informed and adhere to ethical and professional standards when prescribing any medication, including medicinal cannabis.”
Yolisa Tswanya is deputy news director at the Northern Advocate based in Whangārei.
