We’re excited to share the full programme of speakers and sessions for NZMCC Industry Day 2026.
From roadside drug testing and regulatory updates to cultivation, clinical practice, exports and the future of New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis industry, there’s something for everyone in the sector.
Take a look at the full programme below, meet the panels and see what’s in store. Then get your tickets here!
We look forward to seeing everyone on October 20!
Have you purchased your tickets yet? We still have both member and non-member options available. Not a member? Email Melissa to start the process.
Leadership Panel — Who’s Shaping the Future? New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis industry is at a pivotal point. Industry leaders discuss where the sector is heading, what it will take to unlock its potential, and how leadership, investment and collaboration can build a stronger, globally competitive industry.
- Moderator: Carmen Doran, NZMCC Chair
- Panapa Ehau, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Rua Bioscience
- Zoë Reece, Founder & CEO, Ora Pharm
- Bastiaan Kramer, Founder, Director and CEO, Ampyl Sciences
- Evan Scicluna, Managing Director, Medreleaf Australia
- Dr Willem van der Merwe, Clinical Director, CannaPlus+
- Kirsty Campbell, Dispensed
Presentation: Australian Reform & Regulations: Lisa Westhaven, Member Partnership & Governance Lead at Cannabis Council Australia, and Rhys Cohen, Senior Policy Officer at Penington Institute, will unpack the latest developments shaping Australia’s medicinal cannabis sector.
Presentation: Medicinal Cannabis Agency — Regulatory Update: Chris James, Group Manager of Medsafe and the Medicinal Cannabis Agency (MCA), will provide an update on New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis regulatory landscape.
Keynote Panel — Roadside Drug Testing: What does roadside saliva testing mean for medicinal cannabis patients and the wider industry? Clinical, policy and research experts examine the implications of New Zealand’s new testing regime, including patient rights, road safety, drug detection and the challenges of balancing public safety with access to prescribed treatment.
- Moderator: Dr Michael Murphy, Medical Advisor, CannaPlus+; Prescribers Working Group Lead, NZMCC
- Dr Graham Gulbransen, Founder, Cannabis Care
- Fiona Patten, CEO, Medicinal Cannabis Council Australia
- Dr Jacek Kolodziej, Policy Director, NZ Drug Foundation
- Marc Lewis, PhD Candidate, medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain
- Ricardo Menéndez March, List MP, Green Party
Clinical Panel — Cannabis Care Beyond the Prescriber: Effective medicinal cannabis care involves more than a consultation and a prescription. This panel explores the roles of nurses, pharmacists, clinics and other healthcare professionals in supporting patients, improving treatment experiences and building a more connected approach to medicinal cannabis care.
- Moderator: Dr Afraz Adam, Chief Medical Officer, Elysian Group; Vice Chair, NZMCC
- Ben Whitson, Product Strategy Manager, Cannabis Clinic
- Shannon Norton, Nursing Manager, Cannabis Clinic
- James Yu, Co-Owner and Pharmacist, Ngā Hua Pharmacy
- Morgan Murray, Head of Operations, Elysian Group
- Ruby Wang, New Zealand Commercial Lead, Tilray Medical
Presentation: Michelle Judge, Policy Advisor at the NZ Drug Foundation, will explore medicinal cannabis in the workplace.
Clinical Panel — The Next Phase of Prescribing: As clinical experience grows and the sector evolves, what comes next for medicinal cannabis prescribing in New Zealand? Experienced clinicians explore emerging practices, patient needs, clinical challenges and the opportunities to improve confidence, consistency and outcomes in care.
- Moderator: Dr Afraz Adam, Chief Medical Officer, Elysian Group; Vice Chair, NZMCC
- Dr Gulbransen, Founder, Cannabis Care
- Dr William Parkyn, Clinical Director, Cannabis Clinic
- Dr Tanya Sharp, Associate Clinical Director, CannaPlus+
Industry Panel — Export Opportunities: New Zealand has the potential to build a stronger presence in international medicinal cannabis markets, but getting there takes more than a quality product. Export specialists and industry leaders discuss market access, commercial readiness, regulatory requirements and the practical steps needed to turn export potential into sustainable growth.
- Moderator: John Sanders, Sales & Marketing Chief, Rua Bioscience; Export Working Group Lead, NZMCC
- Zoë Reece, Founder & CEO, Ora Pharm, NZ Grow Co
- Paul Smerda, Business Development Manager, NZTE
- Damon Paling, NZTE Beachheads Advisor
- Bastiaan Kramer, Founder, Director & CEO, Ampyl Sciences
Presentation — Cultivation Insights: Bluelab’s Vivent technology can give cultivators deeper insights into plant health and performance. Leith Soutar, Cultivation Operations Manager at Ora Pharm, and Karl Stevenson, Head of Product at Bluelab, show how plant-sensing technology can help growers make more informed cultivation decisions.
Industry Panel: Cultivators underpin the entire medicinal cannabis supply chain. This panel gets back to the fundamentals, exploring the practical considerations behind producing consistent, high-quality cannabis, from growing methods and operational decisions to quality standards and commercial viability.
- Moderator: Melissa Zissou, Executive Director, NZMCC
- Porourangi Tawhiwhirangi, Head Cultivator, Rua Bioscience, Founder & Director, East Coast Cannabis Company Ltd; Cultivators Working Group Lead, NZMCC
- Alex Elbe, Head of Cultivation, Aumex Ltd
- Winidu Kannangara, Senior Partner, BNZ Partnership Banking
Industry Panel — Extraction 101: Extraction is where cultivation meets science, technology and product development. Industry experts unpack the techniques used to turn cannabis biomass into valuable extracts, exploring the advantages and limitations of different approaches, quality considerations, and the challenges of scaling extraction in a developing industry.
- Moderator: Marc Lewis, PhD Candidate; Founder & Ceo, Manta Extracts; R&D Working Group Lead, NZMCC
- Blake Smith, Director & Chief Science Officer, Ora Pharm
- Matthew Byerly, Production Operations Manager, Helius Therapeutics
