A medicinal cannabis clinic says there's been an uptick in people coming from illegal to legal cannabis as prices reduce.
Te Whatu Ora data shows since the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came into effect in April 2020 and this April there were 75,508 medicinal cannabis prescriptions.
Those figures don't check if a product's been dispensed.
Cannabis Clinic founder Dr Waseem Alzaher says they've had people try to purchase medicinal cannabis cards.
"Which highlights the broader issue of the system not being able to cope or cater for the needs of these people. Unfortunately it happens, but we do our best to do the right thing."
Some doctors are frustrated about ongoing barriers to medicinal cannabis, including the cost and awareness.
Dr Waseem Alzaher says the figures are lower than he'd expect, because people still aren't aware its an option.
"The fact that you can go from illegal black market to legal prescribed cannabis under the care of a doctor- getting people's head around that, that yes, this is possible, is certainly a challenge for us."
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