The Ministry of Health has announced that it proposes to make regulations under section 37A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, which will set the Medicinal Cannabis Product Quality Standard.

The ministry has proposed that the Medicinal Cannabis Quality Standard incorporates by reference the test methods and specifications set out in the general monograph Pharmaceutical Preparations (2619) of the European Pharmacopoeia.

It advises that under copyright law it is not able to display a copy online or send an electronic copy to anyone. The 10th edition of the European Pharmacopoeia is available for purchase for €870 in English (electronic version and print) or for €540 for a single electronic subscription. A subscription with unlimited access is €65,000.

The ministry says the proposed Medicinal Cannabis Quality Standard and the material incorporated by reference can be inspected free of charge during normal working hours (8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday) at the Ministry of Health, 133 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington. To arrange an appointment between Monday 21 October and Monday 11 November 2019, it advises emailing medicinal.cannabis@health.govt.nz.

The ministry advises that an comments on the proposal to incorporate the general monograph Pharmaceutical Preparations (2619) by reference should be emailed to medicinal.cannabis@health.govt.nz by Monday, 11 November 2019.