Technical advice is our interpretation of how professional standards apply in a particular situation. It is designed to help veterinarians deal with common issues in practice, using their professional judgement to apply the advice to their own situation. It represents our best efforts at the time of publication but standards and expectations change over time and particular care should be used when reading old advice.

Can a veterinarian authorise human Cannabidiol products for use in animals?

VCNZ has not established a specific position for Cannabidiol products yet. Until then, we are following the current regulations, which apply to therapeutic products (such as prescription medicines and 

As long as the therapeutic product you are considering using is a CBD product and is approved as a medicine, then it would be treated like any other prescription medicine and can be 

 without specialist recommendation or Ministerial approval.

Any medicinal cannabis product which is not a CBD product is a Class B1 

. These may contain any level of cannabinoids and include all dried flower products.

If it is a less or unrefined cannabis or hemp product, then the potential presence of other tetrahydrocannabinols (especially THC) would trigger controlled drug status. Ministry of Health approval would then be required before special circumstances approval.

As of April 2023, there is only one Cannabidiol with no THC that is approved in New Zealand as a prescription medicine. Here is a link to the 

There is also currently only one approved, scheduled product (Class B1 controlled drug) available. Here is a link to the 

The Medicinal Cannabis Agency provides guidance for prescribing health professionals 

There is also a list of medicinal cannabis products that meet the minimum quality standard available 

What about products that are not a registered prescription medicine?

Other products that are not approved prescription medicine are considered to be Section 29 products. Although veterinarians may be able to prescribe them, they are not currently able to be sourced and sold to vets in NZ.

To authorise and dispense these products, you would need to import them yourself and would need ACVM approval to do this. For details about this, email ACVM: 

Updates

Dispensing human medication for animals

Cannabidiol products for use in animals

Authorisation of Critically Important Antibiotics for future use

VCNZ Standards

The Hub

Competency Standards and Performance Indicators for Veterinarians

Introduction

Summary: The 7 principles

Animal welfare

Client relationships

Professional relationships

Professional integrity

Veterinary services

Veterinary medicines

Legislative requirements

Glossary

Code of Professional Conduct

Authorisation During Major Disruptive Events and Emergencies

Health Practitioners Undertaking Surgical Procedures on Animals

Compounding Veterinary Medicines

Discretionary Use of Human and Veterinary Medicines by Veterinarians

Cattle Disbudding and Dehorning by Non-Veterinarians

Authorisation of Dry Cow Therapy

Manufacturing Veterinary Medicines

Certification of fitness for transport of livestock

Induction of Calving in Cattle

Authorisation of adult cat and dog vaccinations for administration by veterinary nurses during the current veterinary workforce shortage

Statements

Health practitioners undertaking non-surgical procedures on animals

Reclassification of fentanyl, tramadol, zopiclone and zolpidem

Veterinary supervision

Flystrike table

Dry Cow Antibiotic Therapy

Recent changes to penicillin withholding periods

Remote Veterinary Care (Telehealth and Telemedicine)

Anaesthetic Monitoring

Dealing with cases of suspected or actual animal abuse and family violence

Social media

Veterinarians' role in Maintaining New Zealand's Biosecurity

Non-consented human medicines used by veterinarians

Mentoring Guidelines

Meat Processing in New Zealand

Guidance

Untitled

Stewardship

Technical advice

Pregnancy in the Veterinary Workplace

Emergency services advice for new practices

Handling complaints

Accredited employer work visa

Opening vet clinics on Easter Sunday

Practice guidance

Professional standards and guidance

Case study: Navigating emergency care, after hours

Case study: Health process

Case study: Ownership

Case study: Navigating suspected animal welfare issues

Case study: Informed consent

Case study: Surgical swab left in patient

Case study: Informed consent in practice

Case study: Falling short of professional standards

Case study: Outside of scope

Case study: Client communication & informed consent

Case study: Dispensing error

Case summaries