Opinion: While medicinal cannabis is becoming more mainstream in New Zealand, disparities in access and attitudes reveal a complex, two-tiered system.
As the cannabis conversation grows in New Zealand, it’s clear that not all cannabis users are navigating the same landscape. Recent data published in the New Zealand Medical Journal identifies “six emerging trends” in the Medicinal Cannabis scheme, highlighting both growth in use and gaps in accessibility.
Cannabis is undoubtedly becoming more socially acceptable, and some people are reaping the benefits of the system with ease. For instance, at a recent reggae club, a young man was enthusiastically boasting about the ease of access he had to quality cannabis through prescriptions. For him, cannabis wasn’t just medicine; it was a point of pride.
Two Tiers of Access and Acceptance
This encounter reflects a larger issue: the gap between those who can easily access medicinal cannabis and those who cannot. On one side, you have individuals who, with a prescription, enjoy safe and regulated access to cannabis products. For some in higher-income brackets, it’s practically a lifestyle choice, embraced and even celebrated.
On the other side are people who struggle to get into the system or find it too expensive. Many New Zealanders report difficulties accessing medicinal cannabis due to high costs or strict medical requirements, even though they may benefit greatly from its therapeutic effects. This disparity creates a system that favors those with means while leaving others to explore potentially illegal or less safe sources.
Shifting Trends in Medicinal Cannabis
Data from the New Zealand Medical Journal has identified several trends in the country’s medicinal cannabis landscape, painting a picture of a rapidly evolving industry. These trends indicate increased social acceptance and growth in medicinal cannabis use, but they also underscore disparities in how people access and perceive cannabis.
Key trends from the study include:
- Rising prescriptions among young adults and professionals.
- Increased consumer awareness and acceptance.
- Challenges in affordability and access for lower-income individuals.
Despite advancements, it’s evident that medicinal cannabis remains out of reach for some, either due to financial constraints or due to lingering stigma around cannabis use.
Cannabis Use Among the Professional Class
Another interesting aspect of this two-tiered system is the way cannabis use is perceived among different social groups. The young man outside the club pointed out that “top businesspeople” were into cannabis, using it legally as part of their wellness routines or to manage stress. For them, cannabis has become as normalized as yoga or dietary supplements—a tool for personal and professional wellbeing.
For people in these circles, medicinal cannabis doesn’t carry the same taboo it once did. Yet, this acceptance largely stems from a position of privilege. Those with more resources can afford the consultations, the prescriptions, and the regulated cannabis products.
Barriers to Access for the General Public
For others, medicinal cannabis remains out of reach, often due to cost barriers. A prescription requires consultations, which may be costly, and the products themselves are not cheap. Moreover, for individuals who don’t fit the “professional” profile, there’s still a cultural stigma attached to cannabis use that can make access feel socially challenging or even uncomfortable.
People outside the mainstream medicinal cannabis system often find themselves with fewer safe options. As a result, they may turn to unregulated sources, which can be risky in terms of both quality and legality.
What This Means for New Zealand
While medicinal cannabis legalization is an important step forward, the two-tiered system means that not everyone is benefitting equally. As cannabis use becomes increasingly normalized among certain groups, disparities in access and affordability persist, highlighting the need for a more inclusive approach.
For now, the split remains stark: on one hand, cannabis is an easily accessible wellness tool for some, while for others, it remains an expensive, inaccessible resource or even a criminalized substance.
