New Zealand’s Medical Marijuana Clinics Growth Sparks Profit Vs Patient Care Debate, While Hemp Industry Fights For Reform
Cannabis laws enacted in 2020 in New Zealand has improved access to medical marijuana, resulting in a shift toward high THC flower-based options instead of CBD oils. Massey University research recently confirmed that while the prices have come down since the law was enacted, the cost of prescriptions and consults for the medical marijuana scheme is still a challenge, especially for Māori and older people.
Moreover, some researchers are worried that a growing number of medical marijuana clinics is prioritizing profits over patient care, writes 1 News.
“What we’re seeing now is that most products that are approved (verified) now under the scheme are high THC products and they are flower products rather than, you know, oral oils and liquids,” Massey University researcher Marta Rychert told the outlet.
Rychert said that while the products are prescribed in the “vast majority” of cases, there are cases of new clinics that are subsidiaries of companies licensed to produce these products. She …