An industry expert is welcoming changes to medicinal cannabis licences, but wants the industry given a greater push. 

Cannabis flower exports increased from 49 kilograms in 2021 to more than 2300 last year. 

Medsafe is now exploring changes to its regime, potentially allowing more permanent licenses. 

Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher told Ryan Bridge New Zealand holds itself to a particularly high standard, applying pharmaceutical standards seen nowhere else in the world. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

An industry expert is welcoming changes to medicinal cannabis licences, but wants the industry given a greater push.&nbsp;
Cannabis flower exports increased from 49 kilograms in 2021 to more than 2300 last year.&nbsp;
Medsafe is now exploring changes to its regime, potentially allowing more permanent licenses.&nbsp;
Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher told Ryan Bridge New Zealand holds itself to a particularly high standard, applying pharmaceutical standards seen nowhere else in the world.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Waseem Alzaher: Cannabis Clinic CEO on the changes to medicinal cannabis licenses

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f4524b9d-42f1-467b-82cf-b42c017fec70/transcript

Economists are divided over how fast the Reserve Bank should raise the Official Cash Rate. 

ANZ has already picked three consecutive hikes in July, September, and October, while Westpac says it’s becoming more of a possibility next month, but is more likely in September.  

On the hand, Kiwibank believes raising the rate multiple times before the election would be reckless. 

Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge there’s a case for raising the OCR in May – a pre-emptive strike against inflation. 

He says that if they feel the need to go, they're better off going early as if they leave it later and let inflation get a bit embedded, they’ll have to take the OCR higher to compensate.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Economists are divided over how fast the Reserve Bank should raise the Official Cash Rate.&nbsp;
ANZ has already picked three consecutive hikes in July, September, and October, while Westpac says it’s becoming more of a possibility next month, but is more likely in September. &nbsp;
On the hand, Kiwibank believes raising the rate multiple times before the election would be reckless.&nbsp;
Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie told Ryan Bridge there’s a case for raising the OCR in May – a pre-emptive strike against inflation.&nbsp;
He says that if they feel the need to go, they're better off going early as if they leave it later and let inflation get a bit embedded, they’ll have to take the OCR higher to compensate. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Cameron Bagrie: Independent Economist on the division between economists over whether the Reserve Bank should raise the OCR

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/670d8f99-0a11-404b-9e02-b42c0188ac19/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 15th of April 2025, tourism’s roaring back now sitting at 92% of pre-covid levels, Mat Woods CEO of Destination Queenstown & Lake Wanaka Tourism, tells Ryan what we can do to keep tourism booming. 

David Seymour’s pushing to turn New Zealand into a cannabis export powerhouse, Cannabis Clinic CEO Dr Waseem Alazaher tells Ryan if new changes will be a big help for exporting. 

Independent economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts on opposing views on OCR hikes from ANZ and Kiwibank. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the IMF's predictions for the UK economy and a former Nato secretary general saying the UK's security is "in peril". 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 15th of April 2025, tourism’s roaring back now sitting at 92% of pre-covid levels, Mat Woods CEO of Destination Queenstown &amp; Lake Wanaka Tourism, tells Ryan what we can do to keep tourism booming.&nbsp;
David Seymour’s pushing to turn New Zealand into a cannabis export powerhouse, Cannabis Clinic CEO Dr Waseem Alazaher tells Ryan if new changes will be a big help for exporting.&nbsp;
Independent economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts on opposing views on OCR hikes from ANZ and Kiwibank.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the IMF's predictions for the UK economy and a former Nato secretary general saying the UK's security is "in peril".&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 15 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8b45fac4-565c-40cf-95af-b42c012afff8/transcript

Queenstown's asking for a bed-tax as tourist numbers roar back. 

Stats NZ data shows the country's now at 92% of pre-Covid levels, with February visits up more than 53 thousand annually. 

Chinese tourist numbers jumped the most in February, followed by Australia and Taiwan. 

Destination Queenstown and Lake Wanaka Tourism Chief Executive Mat Woods told Ryan Bridge a bed-tax for tourists would come in handy country-wide. 

He says for tourism to be our number one export, we need to be maintaining and investing in infrastructure. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Queenstown's asking for a bed-tax as tourist numbers roar back.&nbsp;
Stats NZ data shows the country's now at 92% of pre-Covid levels, with February visits up more than 53 thousand annually.&nbsp;
Chinese tourist numbers jumped the most in February, followed by Australia and Taiwan.&nbsp;
Destination Queenstown and Lake Wanaka Tourism Chief Executive Mat Woods told Ryan Bridge a bed-tax for tourists would come in handy country-wide.&nbsp;
He says for tourism to be our number one export, we need to be maintaining and investing in infrastructure.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Mat Woods: Destination Queenstown & Lake Wanaka Tourism CEO on Tourism numbers are still looking up

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b1bf0d86-0104-43ea-b2e4-b42c012cd510/transcript

Waseem Alzaher: Cannabis Clinic CEO on the changes to medicinal cannabis licenses

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