The role of medicinal cannabis in New Zealand’s healthcare arena is still largely misunderstood. However, two key women from Greenfern Industries Ltd, (a licensed medicinal cannabis and biotechnology company,) are determined to dispel misinformation and explain its benefits. Company CEO, Elizabeth Plant, and newly elected chair, Kirsten Taylor were asked how they saw their role in educating people about the place of medicinal cannabis in the healthcare domain.
You are both successful businesswomen with a common interest in health and wellbeing; what difference do you hope to make when it comes to medicinal cannabis education?
We aim to completely change public perception of medical cannabis so that patients and doctors understand the value of this amazing medicine and feel confident to use it and prescribe it. Up until 1955 this was a registered legal medicine and was only banned at the request of the World Health Organisation who petitioned the NZ Government to make it illegal.
Is the current market place still a learning landscape? If so, how can people be better educated on the use and benefits?
Greenfern is planning to host an education series in which we outline the different medical conditions for which this treatment is suitable; the pros and cons if any, and what benefits patients can expect from using it.
In 2020 regulations for medicinal cannabis in NZ changed, making it easier for GPs, and hospital physicians to prescribe medicinal cannabis. Has the uptake been all you expected?
Whilst the regulations changed that didn’t ensure access. It was hugely expensive and there were no prescribing and dosing protocols. When she worked for Eqalis Pharmaceuticals, Elizabeth, who is a pharmacist and now Greenfern CEO, wrote a series of dosing and prescribing manuals to give GPs a research-based tool they could use as a reference when making decisions about prescribing controlled medicinal cannabis dosages.
If people are still largely unknowing about its uses and effectiveness does that mean they are unaware of that it is an scientifically-proven, legal treatment for the effective pain relief of a variety of conditions? If so, how can that change?
With the power of the internet and magazines such as yours, people are becoming more aware of the dangers of drug interactions. Pharmaceutical drugs causing death, known as Iatrogenic deaths, are one of the leading causes of death in our country; right at the top with cardiac diseases and cancer. Through education, and by having important conversations such as this one, we can slowly encourage people to realise this is a very safe and very effective medicine with very few side effects. We hope our own education series will also bring about greater understanding and confidence.
In your experience who is using medicinal cannabis in NZ – what demographic/age group?
People 20 to 75 years of age with mostly pain conditions followed by anxiety, sleep disorders, chemotherapy induced nausea, and epilepsy.
Are people surprised by your support and do they assume you are users? If so, how do you respond?
I [Kirsten] have never been asked that. If I were asked, I would say, “No, I do not use medical cannabis because I am well and healthy but if I had cancer, pain, epilepsy or nausea from chemotherapy, then I would use it without hesitation.”
What excites you most about the medicinal cannabis industry?
What it can do for health. It’s an incredible medicine and the industry is in its infancy so we have a long and exciting journey ahead. Now that export regulations have been revised GFI medical cannabis can be sold in most legalised countries of the world.
How significant is women’s contribution to the industry?
Any time there is an NZX listed company with a woman CEO or Chair, it should be supported and celebrated by all women. All businesses, irrespective of what they offer, need a passionate team driving them. With Elizabeth ‘extensive’ knowledge of medicine safety and the cannabinoid systems of the body plus my ability to innovate and develop new products, we see a huge synergy with which to increase greater awareness of the role medicinal cannabis can play in ongoing health. As mature women, with wide industry experience, we believe we can help people better understand the role and benefits of this medicine.
Where do you see Greenfern’s contribution having the most impact?
You only have to Youtube one video of someone with Parkinson’s tremors and then see the tremors ease after taking CBD oil to know that medicinal cannabis must have a future in the overall wellness of our country. Because it can also be taken as a tea or via a vaporiser, it can be an easy process. Greenfern has big dreams to make a major impact on the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Medicinal cannabis in New Zealand
The benefits of medicinal cannabis for the relief of pain and other conditions have been in the spotlight for sometime yet there is still confusion over its legality and purchase.
While young and healthy, the need for cannabidiol products in the form of tablets, capsules or liquid, may not arise. However, as people age, a range of ailments can inflict the body. Some are life threatening, many are not, yet they may still cause discomfort, pain and other physical issues.
Since the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came into effect in 2020 (with the commencement of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019), access to quality medicinal cannabis products for patients has improved remarkably, sparking interest among many seniors.
Medicinal cannabis products are available only on prescription, and patients must consult a doctor (GP) to obtain any such product under the 2020 scheme.
Your GP is the best person to decide whether a medicinal cannabis product is suitable for you. He or she knows your medical history and any medicines you are taking, and will have the expertise needed to assess risks and benefits.
If seen as suitable for such medication, your doctor will generally issue a pharmacy-only prescription stating the kind of medicinal cannabis product(s) and the amount which can be obtained.
*Personal imports of medicinal cannabis products are prohibited under law. Medicinal cannabis products cannot be bought online or from anyone other than a doctor or pharmacist.
*www.health.govt.nz
