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Kronic, a legal high - Source: Close Up -
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Legislation passed last night banning synthetic cannabis has been welcomed by a Christchurch father.
The third and final reading of legislation reforming the Misuse of Drugs Act wrapped up around 5pm yesterday.
It means cannabinoids used in products like Kronic are now illegal.
The Bill passed 104 votes to 15 with only Act, the Greens and independent MP Chris Carter opposing.
The new law comes into place today and stockists must remove the products from their shelves by the middle of the month.
The father of a teenage victim of synthetic cannabis said banning the products could save lives.
The man, who asked not to be named, has been campaigning for the products to be banned after his teenage son suffered a severe reaction.
He said the products were "hazardous" and should never have been sold to the public.
His son required hospital treatment last month after smoking a Kronic Purple Haze joint and collapsing at the family home.
Following his son's experience, the man had contacted all Christchurch politicians about his concerns.
"I was really pleased to hear about the ban, and so was my son. It came as a bit of surprise. I didn't think it would be this quick."
The father said it had been "unbelievable" to learn some synthetic cannabis products were 100 times more potent than botanic marijuana, he said.
"I wouldn't want any other parent to experience what we did. Hopefully the ban will save the anguish and possibly save lives."
Other controls in place
The law also puts further controls on the sale of drug utensils such as cannabis pipes.
Cold and flu remedies containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are used in the production of methamphetamine, will be available by prescription only under the law.
The Government announced on Monday it will rush changes to the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill through Parliament by Friday to crack down on synthetic cannabinoids.
"Once we become aware of a product we [will] have the power to gazette it immediately, within seven days from the shelves," associate health minister Peter Dunne said.
Act MP Heather Roy says it is beyond her as to how the measures being proposed will help young people and potential drug problems.
She believes it is far better to have the sales of such product out in the open, rather than underground, with laws in place that create the right incentives for safe sale and use.
Off the shelves
Legal highs from substances such as Kronic have been the subject of intense scrutiny over recent months, with health experts saying they should be made illegal.
Last month, Kronic Pineapple Express and another synthetic cannabis product, Juicy Puff Super Strength, were removed from shops after it was found they contained a prescription-only drug, the anti-anxiety medication phenazepam.
The Government initially refused to move on the drug after an expert advisory committee found there was no conclusive evidence as to why Kronic should be regulated.
But three weeks ago, Dunne said "stronger additional amendments" to drug legislation to deal with synthetic cannabis products were just weeks away.
Dunne said on Monday the process around dealing with these substances has been complex and it was important that the Government get it right.
"Critics have pointed to faster responses overseas, but some of those laws are coming unstuck already, with new products coming on to the market that are not covered," he said.
"We have addressed that here. If new products turn up and we are concerned about them, we will be able to put temporary class drugs notices on them straight away. The net will be cast as wide as it needs to be to protect young New Zealanders.
"This Bill and the legislation coming to reverse the onus of proof will prove better thought out and more comprehensive than much of the overseas law," Dunne said.
Producers say they will simply alter their product's ingredients to bypass the law change
Do you agree with the ban? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new comment1600nz said on 2011-08-07 @ 13:35 NZDT: Report abusive post
It's far too dangerous to be legalised. It's worse than pot. You can't just legalise something because it's difficult to enforce. Also if you did legalise it, it would spin out of control. How could you restrict the use and rate of consumption!
Lus7 said on 2011-08-04 @ 21:19 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is retarded, we should just leglaise, regulate and tax drugs. That way we wouldn't be wasting a ridiculous amount of tax payers dollars, cause unnecessary disrespect for law/police/politicians, and no divert police resources away from where they are really needed (like NZ high crime rate. fight gangs not non violent pot smokers)
Wasserman said on 2011-08-04 @ 20:54 NZDT: Report abusive post
I have read through all of the comments on this messageboard and I am struck by one thing; the consistently intelligent and well reasoned arguments that are put forward in almost every case. And yet when Peter Dunne and the other politicians congratulate themselves with a few gins and perhaps a fag or two, they will smugly and sanctimoniously tell themselves they are protecting us from drugs. What appalling hypocrisy! And they wonder why we hold them in such contempt.
Mental Kalesthetics said on 2011-07-12 @ 01:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
And there is a solution that would put kronic out of business, save millions of dolars, create sustainable growth for New Zealand for years to come. Mum and dad would know what Fred and George have wraped in paper and are sparking up that hasn't been sprayed with chemically synthesised cannaboids. And FYI Mum and Dad.. kids can smoke Kronic etc in their rooms and since it doesn't smell like pot you don't even know they're high. Just legalise and regulate pot
Rustydog said on 2011-07-07 @ 15:37 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tom Claunch stop talking rubbish Kronic and Cannabis are not gateway drugs to "P" its an individual choice to do "P" not anything else Kronic and Cannabis have nothing to do with it. It's the weak minded people who use these drugs as a crutch to get by in every day life then blame the drugs for the things that go wrong in there life that are to blame not the Kronic or Cannabis people need to start take responsibility for there own actions not blame others or the drugs!!!