Medicinal cannabis

The scientific and clinical evidence to support the medicinal use of cannabis and cannabis-derived products is not yet overwhelming but is well-established enough to suggest that cannabis has therapeutic benefits in treating people with serious conditions.

In particular, these conditions include:

• chronic pain for which other pain relief treatments are ineffective, or have other adverse or side-effects
• neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy and motor neurone disease
• nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, for which existing drugs are ineffective or have other harms and/or side-effects
• HIV-related and cancer-related wasting (cachexia).

Cannabis provides a 'broad spectrum' effect. For example, for patients with HIV/AIDS-related conditions, cannabis can reduce nausea, pain and joint aches, while providing appetite stimulation and potentially reducing anxiety.

Currently, research continues into cannabis-derived medicines, such as sprays and tablets so that users can avoid the harmful effects of smoking cannabis. However, until these alternative methods become available, smoking remains the most effective form of delivery of cannabinoids.

Under present law in New Zealand, the Minister of Health has the power to authorise the medicinal use of cannabis products. There have been applications, but to date, no Minister of health has ever approved the use of medicinal cannabis.

Click here for our evidence review and policy paper on medicinal cannabis.