Stuff.co.nz reports
Only 6 per cent of people who use cannabis medicinally are getting it legally, according to a Drug Foundation report.
This leaves about 250, 000 people who source medicinal cannabis on the black market.
State-of-the-Nation-2022-webThis number, which is based off a self-reported Ministry of Health survey, includes both people who use dry herb cannabis for medicinal purposes and people who use medicinal cannabis, such as CBD and THC oil, that is sourced on the black market.
Drug Foundation policy director Kali Mercier said one of the reasons people were turning to the black market was because legal medicinal cannabis was more expensive.
“It can cost several hundred dollars a month – or significantly more, depending on your condition – to get hold of legal medicinal cannabis. A lot of people who really need it are on benefits and are simply not able to afford that,” she said.
People were also turning to the black market because many medicinal cannabis products were not yet legal, Mercier said.
On February 4, two more products were approved by the Ministry of Health, bringing the total number of legal products to 10.
People supplying medicinal cannabis illegally – sometimes known as ‘green fairies’ – could provide more products for significantly less, green fairy Shane Mark said.
“Only the rich can afford [legal medicinal cannabis]. The products are too dear at the doctor’s. Way too dear. You’re paying a third or half the price from us. That’s a big reason people are going to the black market.”
There is no Government funding for medicinal cannabis products.
Mark said most of his medicinal cannabis patients were looking for a normal quality of life.
“I get some people coming in with their families, and they look like death. A month later they’re … feeling good, able to peel a grapefruit again, just little things. They’re not in constant pain.”
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