A Christchurch man with a medicinal cannabis licence has allegedly been using cannabis for personal reasons in breach of his licence.
The 40 year old man was arrested after police searched his central Christchurch home over the weekend and found cannabis and paraphernalia alleged to be for personal use.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Grainger said this was outside the licence authority and was offending against the Misuse of Drugs Act.
“The medicinal cannabis licensing system exists to support patients who require cannabis-based products for health reasons, not for someone to allegedly hide behind it for their own personal use and profit.
“We’re actively keeping an eye on unlawful sale and supply of drugs in Canterbury and will hold those to account that undermine any systems designed to help vulnerable people.”
The man has been charged with possession of cannabis for supply and possession of cannabis.
Police are still assessing information and further charges or arrests have not been ruled out
The case has also been referred to the Medicinal Cannabis Agency, the regulatory authority responsible for New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis licensing scheme.
The man due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 24 July 2026.
Police said they remain committed to ensuring medicinal cannabis regulatory framework operates lawfully and will work with regulatory partners where potential offending is identified.
