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Summarised by Centrist
New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis exports are rising rapidly.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour suggests the sector could develop into a high-value export industry similar to wine.
Ministry of Health data obtained under the Official Information Act show exports of medicinal cannabis flower exceeded one tonne in 2024, more than double the nearly 486kg exported in 2023. Export volumes have increased steadily over the past four years, rising from 49kg in 2021 to about 184kg in 2022.
The ministry defines medicinal cannabis products as either dried cannabis flower or pharmaceutical products containing cannabis-derived ingredients.
New Zealand’s largest export markets for medicinal cannabis were Australia, Portugal and Uruguay.
A ministry briefing to Seymour said the year-on-year growth in exports had been “supported by recent changes that removed regulatory barriers for exporters.” Officials also suggested there may be scope to simplify export licensing requirements.
Currently, exporters must hold a medicinal cannabis licence and apply to Medsafe for a controlled drug export licence for each shipment. Officials noted an option could be to introduce a broader export licence covering multiple consignments.
Medsafe has been working to reduce processing delays by introducing online applications and automating fee invoicing.
The agency said it was also prioritising medicinal cannabis export applications “wherever feasible” and preparing additional guidance to help companies submit applications more efficiently.
Seymour said the industry could become a significant export earner for New Zealand, noting that medicinal cannabis commands high prices internationally.
“New Zealand could become, just as we are with wine, a high-value powerhouse,” Seymour said.
“We need to get money into the country,” he said, adding that while medicinal cannabis is not widely supported by everyone, “there’s a market for it,” Seymour said.
