A New Zealand-based medicinal cannabis company, Rua Bioscience, has signed a deal to supply medical-grade ecstasy and medicinal magic mushrooms to the domestic market. The agreement marks the first time medicinal MDMA will be available in New Zealand. The company, based in Gisborne, will provide the substances under strict regulatory guidelines.
The deal follows a recent change in New Zealand's drug policy, allowing for the controlled use of certain psychoactive substances for medical purposes. Rua Bioscience has been granted approval to produce and distribute the products, which are intended for therapeutic use. The company has not disclosed specific details about the number of patients expected to benefit from the new treatment options.
This development comes after years of debate over the legal status of psychedelics in New Zealand. In 2022, the government announced plans to expand access to psychedelic-assisted therapy, citing growing evidence of its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions. The approval of medicinal MDMA is part of that broader initiative. The company will now work with healthcare providers to integrate the new treatments into clinical practice.
