Buying CBD Oil in New Zealand 2023
Updated April 2023
Summary
CBD oil, also known as cannabidiol oil, has garnered significant attention worldwide for its potential therapeutic benefits.
With this growing interest, New Zealanders are also joining the trend, with online searches pertaining to CBD oil skyrocketing. The most searched phrases range from "CBD oil for sale," "where to buy CBD oil in New Zealand," "CBD oil benefits," and "CBD oil side effects."
This article aims to address these queries and provide comprehensive insights into CBD oil for the New Zealand population.
CBD is available in New Zealand via a doctor's prescription only. You cannot legally buy CBD oil via online shops without getting it prescribed by a medical doctor.
To obtain CBD oil, consult your GP, or go straight to an expert in cannabis-based medicines.
We receive plenty of enquiries from people getting confused between the hemp seed oil products we sell, and CBD oil.
Both are extracted from the hemp plant, with hemp seed oil being cold pressed from the seeds, and CBD oil extracted from the flower of the hemp plant.
What is CBD oil good for?
The human body contains a series of endocannabinoid receptors, collectively known as the endocannabinoid system. CBD binds to these receptors, attributing it with a wide range of potential health benefits. Some widely researched and scientifically backed benefits include pain relief, improved sleep, anxiety management, acne treatment, brain protection, improved heart health, substance abuse support, diabetes management, and even wound and burn treatment.
Understanding CBD Oil and Its Differences from Hemp Seed Oil
CBD oil is a natural compound extracted primarily from the flower or bud of the hemp plant, revered for its therapeutic properties. In contrast, hemp seed oil, another product extracted from the same plant, is cold-pressed from the seeds. While hemp seed oil can contain trace amounts of cannabinoids like CBD, it is not a CBD product.
CBD Oil Benefits
Some widely researched and science-backed benefits include:
Is CBD Oil Legal?
CBD oil is a prescription-only medicine in New Zealand. Thus, Kiwis cannot legally buy CBD oil via online shops without obtaining a prescription from a medical doctor. Any registered medical doctor in New Zealand can prescribe CBD oil, but many may not do so due to a lack of education in cannabis medicine.
A few doctors specialising in CBD as medicine offer consultations via telemedicine, making this resource accessible to anyone in New Zealand. It's crucial to remember that purchasing CBD oil products online and shipping to New Zealand from international sources could result in the loss of your order to customs due to legal restrictions.
Who can prescribe CBD Oil?
Any registered medical doctor in New Zealand can write a cbd oil prescription. However when asked, most will not prescribe it purely because they aren’t educated in cannabis medicine and don’t feel comfortable prescribing something they aren’t knowledgeable about.
This has resulted in a few doctors specialising in using CBD as a medicine, who offer consultations via tele-medicine as to be accessible to anyone in New Zealand.
A quick search should help you find doctors who prescribe CBD oil in New Zealand, otherwise head to the experts.
CBD Products
If you find a New Zealand CBD oil product online, they cannot legally sell it or ship it, or it is not in fact a real CBD product.
Be careful for misleading products marketing hemp seed oil as CBD oil. While hemp seed oil can contain trace amounts of cannabinoids like CBD, this is not a CBD product. Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds, CBD comes from the flower or bud.
The CBD products that are available legally via prescription in New Zealand are very limited. These are primarily made up of oral drops in glass tinctures. There are no legal CBD gummies available.
Medical Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis is a prescription medicine that can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, nausea, and seizures.
Prescribing medicinal cannabis is a complex process that requires careful consideration of the patient's individual needs.
A medicinal cannabis prescription can be written by a registered medical practitioner. To prescribe medicinal cannabis, the doctor must assess the patient's medical history and symptoms, and determine whether medicinal cannabis is a safe and effective treatment option.
Medicinal cannabis products come in a variety of forms, including oils, capsules, and dried flower. The type of product that is prescribed will depend on the patient's individual needs.
How much does CBD Oil Cost?
The cost of CBD oil will vary greatly depending on the size of the bottle and the concentration of the oil. For a 30ml bottle in New Zealand containing 1500mg of CBD, you’re looking at around $150-200.
Hemp seed oil on the other hand is about $25 for a 250ml bottle.
If you want to read more about the difference between CBD oil and Hemp Seed Oil we covered it in a blog post here.
If you wish to learn more about CBD and where you can get it, check out New Zealand's CBD information website here.
If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us.