New Zealand

Police in New Zealand have set aside more than $600,000 to revive a national cannabis eradication program one year after the operation was canceled.

Hemp firm New Zealand Natural Fibres has received a $1.34 million government grant to investigate hemp plant genetics and develop hemp fibers for products like flooring, food packaging, and activewear.

The Faculty of Pain Medicine at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anesthetists is telling physicians not to recommend medical cannabis for chronic pain due to a lack of evidence.

New Zealand law enforcement officials have ended the country’s annual cannabis eradication operation, choosing instead to focus on combating “more harmful substances such as methamphetamine.”

A study investigating cannabis seized by law enforcement from around the world shows a steady increase in the THC levels of cannabis flower and hash products over multiple decades.

New Zealand voters appear to have rejected a voter referendum to legalize adult-use cannabis by a 53 to 46 percent margin.

New Zealand voters appear to be turning away from cannabis legalization, according to the latest poll which found just 35 percent of respondents supported the reforms.

New Zealand company Sustainable Foods plans to launch a hemp-based burger next year through its Craft Meat Co. brand.

New Zealand has unveiled the cannabis legalization plan that voters will decide on later this year; the proposal would set the legal consumption age at 20, would allow for so-called ‘coffee shops,’ and would permit home grows.

A new financial analysis suggests that the Oceanic cannabis market including New Zealand, Australia, Guam, and surrounding islands could be worth $1.55 billion by 2024.

At least two more major cannabis events —the FlyHi 420 celebration in Denver and the Medcan Summit in Auckland, New Zealand — have been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus.

New Zealand citizens will get to choose next year whether or not to legalize adult-use cannabis; lawmakers there just revealed parts of their legalization plan if the vote were to pass.

Hikurangi Cannabis Company, the first licensed medical cannabis company in New Zealand, is also the first company to receive permission to import high-THC strains.