A health supplement launched by former All Black Ben Franks is banned in New Zealand.

Franks along with former England and Highlanders flanker have come together with CiiTECH, a cannabis biotech company, to launch cannabidiol hemp oils and balm products.

Their range is currently available for people to buy in the UK as they've been classified as food supplements, but under New Zealand law, they can't be sold in this country.

Franks told Newstalk ZB that the New Zealand laws need to be modernised.

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"I think everyone should have the option or the ability to be able to use these products," the 47-test All Black told Newstalk ZB.

"Having it over-regulated, or having to go through a doctor to buy a food supplement, is over the top, considering all the other stuff you can get your hands on in a store."

Cananabidol (CBD), isn't the psychoactive part of the cannabis plant, that's the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The 35-year-old Franks says there are health benefits with CBD, which people should be accessible to the public.

"It's not really the CBD most people are looking it, [they are] usually going to the THC, which is the psycho-active part of the cannabis plant," Franks said.

"A lot of the benefits come from the CBD part of it.

"So we'd like to see that become open to everyone in the public, and obviously the THC bit of it could be regulated the way you regulate alcohol and tobacco,"

The World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances in 2018, while there will be a cannabis referendum held in New Zealand next year.