How Much Does Medical Cannabis Really Cost Per Month in NZ?

For most prospective patients, the first real question isn't medical — it's financial. Medical cannabis in New Zealand is not funded by Pharmac, so patients pay out of pocket. This guide breaks the cost into its two layers and works through realistic examples, without pretending it's cheap.

Information and education, not medical or financial advice. Prices vary widely and change. Treat the figures below as indicative ranges to help you plan, not quotes. 18+.

The two cost layers

Your monthly spend comes from two separate places:

1. Consultation / clinic fees — what you pay a prescriber to assess you, write the script and review you over time.
2. Product cost — what you pay the pharmacy for the actual medicine.

People often focus on one and forget the other. You need to budget for both.

Layer 1: consultation fees

• First consultation with a dedicated telehealth cannabis clinic typically costs in the low hundreds of dollars. Going through your own GP may be cheaper per visit but depends on whether they'll prescribe.
• Follow-ups and repeats add ongoing cost. Some clinics charge per repeat or have periodic review fees; others bundle a period of care. Ask exactly what's included before you commit.

The honest point: the first month carries the consultation cost on top of product, so it's usually the most expensive. Later months can be cheaper if your dose is stable and repeats are inexpensive.

Layer 2: product cost

This is where it varies most, driven by format, strength and how much you use.

• Flower is usually priced per gram, often in the rough range of $8–$18+ per gram, depending on the product and THC strength. Monthly cost then depends entirely on your prescribed quantity — a few grams a week adds up quickly.
• Oils are priced per bottle, commonly tens of dollars up to well over $100 per bottle, lasting weeks depending on dose.
• Higher-THC or premium products cost more; CBD-dominant products vary.

A realistic combined picture for many patients lands somewhere in the $100–$300+ per month range once settled, with the first month higher because of the initial consultation. Heavier use, or premium products, can push it higher.

A worked example (illustrative only)

Imagine a patient prescribed an oil plus a small amount of flower:

• Month 1: first consult ($200) + product ($150) = ~$350.
• Month 2 onward: repeat/review costs (modest) + product ($150) = **$160–$200**.

Change any variable — a higher dose, a premium flower, more frequent reviews — and the number moves. The exercise that matters is doing your own version of this with real quotes from your clinic and pharmacy.

Why isn't it funded?

Medical cannabis sits outside Pharmac funding, which is the single biggest reason it's expensive. Most cannabis products aren't fully registered medicines in the conventional sense and haven't been through Pharmac's funding pathway, so there's no subsidy. This is a long-standing patient grievance and an equity issue — cost locks some people out entirely. (See our piece on Pharmac and cannabis funding.)

How to keep costs down (sensibly)

• Compare clinics on total cost — first consult, repeats and review fees — not just the headline.
• Discuss format with your prescriber. Oils can be more economical per dose than flower for some people; the right answer is clinical, not just financial.
• Start low. A lower effective dose costs less and is good clinical practice anyway.
• Don't chase grey-market "savings." Buying outside the legal pharmacy route is illegal and risky, and undercuts the safety and quality assurances you're paying for.
• Ask about quantities and repeats so you're not paying for more product than you'll use.

Frequently asked questions

Is medical cannabis funded by Pharmac? No. Patients pay out of pocket, which is why it's relatively expensive.

What's a realistic monthly figure? For many settled patients, roughly $100–$300+ per month, with the first month higher due to the initial consultation. Your real number depends on dose and product.

Is flower or oil cheaper? It depends on dose. Oils are priced per bottle and can be economical; flower is per gram and adds up with heavier use. Decide with your prescriber.

Can I cut costs by buying online or off the street? No — that's illegal and removes the quality and safety assurances of the legal route. Don't.

Sources

• Ministry of Health — medicinal cannabis scheme and patient costs (accessed 2026-06-15)
• Pharmac — funding of medicines (accessed 2026-06-15)
• Healthify NZ — cannabis-based products patient guide (accessed 2026-06-15)
• New Zealand Drug Foundation — access and affordability commentary (accessed 2026-06-15)

Information and education, not medical or financial advice. Get real quotes for your situation. 18+.