Kia ora Greg,   

 

Thank you for your request for official information (ref:
H2025070336) received on 22 July 2025 for: 

 

“Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request all information held
by the Ministry of Health (including Medsafe and any other sub-agencies)
relating to Martin Woodbridge (MPHC, DPH) and/or Woodbridge Research |
Health Matters (or any related entity, such as Woodbridge Research Ltd),
from 1 January 2005 to the present (11 July 2025). The scope of this
request includes, but is not limited to, the following:

 

1. Documents Authored or Commissioned

Copies of all guidelines, briefing notes, internal memos, reports, advice,
or other documents authored, co-authored, or commissioned by Martin
Woodbridge and/or Woodbridge Research | Health Matters.

 

This includes, but is not limited to, the 2007 Ministry guidance on the
medicinal use of cannabis, any updates or revisions to that guidance, and
any internal or external use of that guidance in policy development or
decision-making.

 

2. Advisory Roles and Consultancy

All contracts, consultancy agreements, terms of reference, scopes of work,
or other engagement agreements between the Ministry of Health (or any
sub-agency, including Medsafe) and:

 

Martin Woodbridge (as an individual), or

 

Woodbridge Research | Health Matters (or any related entity, such as
Woodbridge Research Ltd).

 

Details of each engagement, including:

 

Dates of engagement.

 

Deliverables or outputs produced.

 

Payment amounts, schedules, or financial arrangements associated with each
engagement.

 

3. Hui Participation and Inter-Agency Engagement

Records of Martin Woodbridge’s attendance, contributions, or involvement
in:

 

Any inter-agency hui, working groups, consultations, or technical advisory
meetings, including but not limited to the inter-agency hui held in
March2025.

 

Any meetings related to medicinal cannabis, controlled drug regulation,
clinical guidance, or stakeholder engagement.

 

Copies of minutes, agenda papers, presentations, or correspondence
involving or referencing Martin Woodbridge or Woodbridge Research | Health
Matters in relation to these events.

 

4. Internal and External Correspondence

All emails, letters, meeting notes, or messaging (including Microsoft
Teams, Zoom notes, or other platforms) involving Ministry of Health or
Medsafe staff and:

 

Martin Woodbridge, or

 

Woodbridge Research | Health Matters (or any related entity).

 

This includes, but is not limited to, communications about:

 

The design, scope, implementation, or evaluation of the Medicinal Cannabis
Scheme.

 

Patient access, product affordability, dosage regulation, or clinical
standards for medicinal cannabis.

 

Martin Woodbridge’s role or contributions to the United Nations
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) or any claims to represent
New Zealand’s regulatory positions in international forums.

 

5. Influence on Current Regulatory Positions

Any internal briefing papers, slide decks, reports, or communications
that:

 

Cite Martin Woodbridge’s prior work (e.g., the 2007 cannabis guidance) as
rationale or justification for current Medsafe policies, the Medicinal
Cannabis Scheme, or other regulatory interpretations.

 

Reference or rely on his 2007 guidelines (or subsequent work) in the
development of current domestic regulatory positions, clinical standards,
or policy decisions.

 

Additional Notes

If any information is withheld under sections of the OIA, please specify
the section(s) and provide reasons for each withholding.

 

If parts of this request can be provided sooner or handled in stages to
facilitate timely release, I am open to discussing a practical approach
with the OIA team.

 

I am particularly interested in understanding the extent of Martin
Woodbridge’s and/or Woodbridge Research | Health Matters’ influence on the
Ministry’s medicinal cannabis policies and regulatory decision-making,
including any ongoing reliance on their prior work.

 

Please provide the information in electronic format (e.g., PDF or Word)
where possible.” 

 

The Ministry notes you have made this exact same request under
[1][email address]. As such please refer to the response that
will be issued under reference H2025069825, which you can expect a
response by 29 August 2025. 

 

Ngâ mihi 

  

OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health  | Manatû Hauora 

M[2]inistry of Health information releases 

 

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References

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2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

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