Regulations to enable a medicinal cannabis scheme, the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019, have been made.

The regulations impose a minimum quality standard for medicinal cannabis products and related material and ingredients, and provide for medicinal cannabis licences that authorise various activities relating to medicinal cannabis products and related material and ingredients.

They come into force on 1 April 2020. A Medicinal Cannabis Agency, within the Ministry of Health, is being established to administer the Scheme.

The regulations are made under sections 37 and 37A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and section 105 of the Medicines Act 1981.

Information released by Health Minister David Clark says the first medicinal cannabis licences are expected to be issued by mid-2020.

The medicinal cannabis products permitted under the scheme include dried products, a variety of tablets and liquids but do not allow products able to be smoked.

All medicinal cannabis products need to be prescribed by a medical practitioner and obtained directly from the medical practitioner or from a pharmacy.

The standards will apply to both imported and locally produced products and will allow people to be confident they’re receiving quality products.