First Medical Cannabis Consultation: What to Bring and Ask
Last reviewed: · Reviewed by the weed.nz editorial team · Information & education, not medical advice · 18+
A first medical cannabis consultation goes better when you arrive prepared. Whether it's a telehealth clinic or your own GP, a little groundwork helps your prescriber assess you properly and helps you leave with a clear plan. Here's a practical checklist.
Information and education, not medical advice. Your prescriber's judgement comes first. 18+.
Before the appointment: what to bring
- A summary of your condition — what you're seeking help with, how long you've had it, and how it affects daily life.
- Your medical history, including past diagnoses and any relevant specialist letters.
- A list of everything you take — prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, supplements and doses. This matters for interactions.
- What you've already tried for the condition, and how it went (what helped, what didn't, side effects).
- Photo ID and your details, especially for telehealth.
- Any prior cannabis experience, honestly — it informs dosing and safety advice.
- Your questions, written down (see below).
If it's a telehealth consult, also test your camera, microphone and internet beforehand, and find a private, quiet space.
Questions worth asking your prescriber
About your suitability:
- Is medical cannabis a reasonable option for my condition, alongside or instead of other treatments?
- Are there reasons it might not be safe for me — my other medicines, my history, pregnancy or family mental-health history?
About the medicine:
- What format are you suggesting — oil, flower, capsule — and why?
- What's the starting dose, and how do we titrate (adjust) from there?
- What are the common side effects, and what should I do about them?
- CBD-dominant, balanced, or THC-containing — and what does that mean for how I'll feel and function?
About daily life:
- Driving — what are the rules, and how long after a dose should I not drive? (This is critical in NZ; impairment and roadside testing apply.)
- Work — should I disclose anything, and could this affect a safety-sensitive job?
- Interactions — anything to avoid mixing it with?
About the practicalities:
- What will this cost — the consult, repeats, reviews and the product?
- How do repeats and follow-ups work, and how soon is my first review?
- What's the dispensing process at the pharmacy?
During the appointment
- Be honest and complete. Underplaying symptoms, other drug use, or mental-health history can lead to unsafe advice. Your prescriber isn't there to judge you.
- Take notes, or ask if you can record the key instructions.
- Confirm the plan before you finish: the product, the dose, how to adjust, what to watch for, and when you'll be reviewed.
After the appointment
- Fill the script at a pharmacy and read the dispensing label and information.
- Start low and go slow — follow the titration plan rather than rushing to a higher dose.
- Keep a simple diary of dose, timing, effect and side effects. This makes your follow-up far more useful.
- Don't drive until you understand how the medicine affects you and you're within the rules.
A note on realistic expectations
Medical cannabis is not a guaranteed fix, and a good prescriber will be honest about uncertainty. The evidence is stronger for some uses than others, and finding the right product and dose can take time and a couple of adjustments. Going in with realistic expectations — and a willingness to titrate — sets you up better than hoping for an instant result.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral from my GP? Not necessarily. Dedicated telehealth clinics can assess you directly, though your own GP can also prescribe.
What if I've used cannabis before? Tell your prescriber honestly — it helps them give safe dosing and advice, not get you in trouble.
Will I get a prescription on the first visit? Often, if it's appropriate, but not guaranteed. The prescriber assesses suitability first.
Can I ask about cost up front? Yes — and you should. Ask about the consult, repeats, reviews and product so there are no surprises.
Sources
- Ministry of Health — medicinal cannabis: information for patients (accessed 2026-06-15)
- Healthify NZ — cannabis-based products patient guide (accessed 2026-06-15)
- bpacnz — medicinal cannabis: overview for health practitioners (accessed 2026-06-15)
- New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi — drugs and driving (accessed 2026-06-15)
Information and education, not medical advice. Follow your prescriber's plan. 18+.
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