A government crackdown on Kronic has not gone nearly far enough and the synthetic cannabis product should be banned, Dr Leo Schep, of the Dunedin-based National Poison Centre, says.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne confirmed yesterday that restrictions on cannabinoid products, such as Kronic, could be expected within weeks after Parliament passes amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 2005.
Dr Schep said while he appreciated the Government had taken notice of the problem, it had not gone nearly far enough. "It has to be banned."
He said the banning of the substance should not be left for eight years as the Government did with Benzylpiperazine (BZP) before making it illegal.
The pressure on the health system from the effects of Kronic was increasing and not enough was known about the long-term effects of the substance.
"Our young people need to be protected from the unscrupulous people selling it."
The legislation would make the products, which are available at 40 Dunedin dairies and specialist stores, a restricted substance.
Restrictions included making it an offence to supply under-18s, a ban on giveaways, free samples or prizes, no advertising in public, and store displays not being audible or visible from outside.
Sales from liquor licensed stores, service stations or vehicles would be banned, as would selling at schools or sports grounds. Mr Dunne acknowledged recent media reports had highlighted problems and said, under the changes, "effectively, you can't advertise them, promote them, sell to people under-18. Why, if you were a dairy owner, would you bother?"
In the long term, the Government was likely to follow recommendations from the Law Commission to put the onus back on the manufacturers "to prove they are safe before they go to market".
"They will need to prove that their products are safe or they will not be able to sell them."
Last night, Prime Minister John Key said he backed the action. "The sooner the better," he said.
Mr Dunne said it should not be up to authorities to prove products were unsafe, only for companies to "change an ingredient or two and we are back to square one".
"They are making the money; they are producing a product and they need to prove that it is safe; not the other way around."
He had also instructed health officials to obtain fresh data on people seeking hospital or medical treatment.
Dunedin proactive policing team Sergeant Chris McLellan welcomed Mr Dunne's announcement, saying police had seen the product on "the street, and were dealing with it on a daily basis".
"Officers are seeing the consequences of it and we welcome any support from the Government in regards to it."
Yesterday's announcement came after the ODT reported Dunedin police had been sharing information with their Western Australian counterparts, after the state made it illegal to possess or supply synthetic cannabinoids, such as Kronic.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan also called for dairy owners not to sell the product in the district.
The law changes
• Synthetic cannabis will not be sold at petrol stations or where alcohol is sold or at places where children gather, such as recreational facilities.
• It will be packaged in child-proof containers with information on substances, health warnings, and the National Poisons Centre's phone number.
• Advertising will be restricted to within stores, much the same way as tobacco.
• Changes expected by mid-August.
