Hon Peter Dunne
Associate Minister of Health
2 June 2017 Media Statement
Government to ease restrictions on Cannabidiol
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says New Zealand is to remove restrictions around cannabidiol (CBD), in line with
international developments.
CBD is a substance found in cannabis that has potential therapeutic value. It has little or no psychoactive properties,
yet it is currently a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
“At present CBD products for therapeutic use are only available if approval is given by the Ministry of Health.
“I have taken advice from the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) that CBD should not be a controlled drug and am
pleased Cabinet has now accepted my recommendation to make this change. Therefore, I am now taking steps to remove
restrictions accordingly.
“In practical terms, the changes mean CBD would be able to be prescribed by a doctor to their patient and supplied in a
manner similar to any other prescription medicine.
“Australia has already taken a similar step while other countries are also responding to emerging evidence that CBD has
a low risk of harm when used therapeutically.
“This change is about future-proofing access to CBD products, as the reality is that there will continue to be barriers
beyond New Zealand’s control to people accessing such products from overseas,” says Mr Dunne.
Currently there is a limited range of CBD products made to a standard where prescribers can be sure the products
contains what is claimed – and strict import and export restrictions on products sourced from other countries, which
will continue to impact the supply of CBD products in New Zealand.
“However, we do know of at least one CBD product in development made to high manufacturing standards that will contain
two per cent or less of the other cannabinoids found in cannabis,” said Mr Dunne.
The changes will include removing requirements for:
• Ministerial approval to prescribe;
• pharmacies, prescribers, and wholesalers to have an import licence, and to meet certain requirements for storage, and
the maintaining of controlled drug records and stock keeping.
Prescriptions would be allowed for up to three months’ supply, rather than one month. These measures can be achieved by
amending the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977 in the first instance, pending any future amendment of the Misuse of Drugs
Act.