New Zealand to Launch First Educational Course on Medical Cannabis
On July 20, Auckland University of Technology will launch New Zealand’s first educational course specializing in “Medical Cannabis Science.” Students will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge to prepare for work in the rapidly growing cannabis industry.
Shortage of Qualified Professionals in the Cannabis Market
The training program will consist of five subjects:
- History of medical cannabis use
- Cannabis breeding
- Methods of cannabinoid extraction
- Dosage of substances
- Cultivation of medical cannabis
- Methods for determining cannabinoid concentration in products
- Production of cannabis-based medications
Project leader Ali Seyfoddin stated that the university decided to start training specialists in the field of medical cannabis due to a shortage of qualified professionals. According to Seyfoddin, the educational course covers all key aspects of cultivating and using cannabis for medical purposes. Next year, the institution plans to develop several more cannabis-related training programs for both undergraduate and graduate students.
New Medical Cannabis Access Scheme in New Zealand
On April 1, 2020, new regulations governing the sale of medical cannabis came into effect in New Zealand. All doctors are now allowed to prescribe cannabinoid-based medications, including oils, tablets, ointments, and liquids for vaporizers. Cannabis-infused foods, beverages, and raw cannabis remain prohibited. All cannabis products must meet quality standards set by government officials.
The Medical Cannabis Agency has begun accepting license applications for the right to:
- Grow and process cannabis
- Conduct cannabis research
- Distribute cannabis products
The first licenses are expected to be issued by mid-2020, allowing companies to make their initial product deliveries by the end of the year. Currently, there are 20 cannabis farms in the country growing cannabis for scientific research.
A license costs $8,200, and approval for a new product release costs $8,710. Many New Zealanders believe these fees are too high, especially for members of the indigenous Māori community. However, the Ministry of Health noted that the license application process includes an audit, so they cannot reduce the fees.