Attribute the following to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Grainger, Canterbury Criminal Investigation Branch:
Police investigating a medicinal cannabis licence holder have arrested and charged one person after finding multiple breaches of the licence.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Grainger said a series of search warrants were executed by officers over the weekend at central Christchurch addresses.
“Police found evidence of cannabis and paraphernalia at one of the properties allegedly believed to be for personal use.
“This appears to be outside the authority the licence allowed and amounted to offending against the Misuse of Drugs Act.
“The medicinal cannabis licensing system exists to support patients who require cannabis-based products for health reasons, not for someone to allegedly hide behind it for their own personal use and profit.
“We’re actively keeping an eye on unlawful sale and supply of drugs in Canterbury and will hold those to account that undermine any systems designed to help vulnerable people,” said Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Grainger.
As a result of the operation, a 40-year-old Christchurch man has been charged with possession of cannabis for supply and possession of cannabis.
He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 24 July 2026.
The investigation remains ongoing, and Police are continuing to assess information obtained during the execution of the search warrants.
Further charges or arrests aren’t ruled out.
Police have also referred the incident to the Medicinal Cannabis Agency, the regulatory authority responsible for New Zealand's medicinal cannabis licensing scheme.
Police remain committed to ensuring New Zealand's medicinal cannabis regulatory framework operates lawfully and with integrity.
Police will continue to work alongside regulatory partners where potential offending is identified.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre