New Zealand: Cannabis Laws
Last updated: October 14, 2025
Legal notice: This page is informational only and not legal or medical advice. New Zealand law changes over time—always verify on official websites linked below and follow the strictest rule that applies to you. See our Legal Disclaimer & No-Warranty.
Overview
- Recreational use: Illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
- Medicinal use: Legal by prescription through the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, administered by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency (Ministry of Health). Products must meet minimum quality standards.
- Supply/dealing: Criminal offences persist under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
- Driving: Drug-impaired driving is illegal—do not drive while impaired.
For safe behavior and impairment guidance, see the Responsible Use Guide. For our verification process, see How We Fact-Check and Editorial Standards.
Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (At a Glance)
- Access: Prescription from a registered doctor.
- Products: Must comply with minimum quality standard before supply.
- Industry: Licensing and compliance requirements for cultivation, manufacture, and import.
What You Should Not Do
- Don’t assume non-prescribed products are lawful.
- Don’t transport cannabis across borders (including to/from Australia or the Pacific).
- Don’t drive while impaired.
Verify on Official Sources
- Primary statute: Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (see Sources).
- Medicinal program: Ministry of Health – Medicinal Cannabis (see Sources).
- Enforcement context: NZ Police penalties overview (see Sources).
Keep Current
- Track notable changes on our Research Updates page.
- See Cannabis Laws by Country & Region to compare jurisdictions.