Regulations are needed if Kiwis want better access to publicly prescribed medicinal cannabis

There's been a 16-hundred percent increase in prescriptions since the scheme's start in 2020, with over 119-thousand issued in 2024 - but largely through clinics.

But Royal New Zealand College of GPs' Dr Luke Bradford, says the product line is completely separate from normal pharmaceutical development.

He says more GPs would prescribe if the sector was regulated, as it gives them an idea of what's being prescribed to who and in what dosage.

Bradford adds more research would also help.