The Ministry of Health recalled the popular Kronic brand Pineapple Express after it was found to contain a benzodiazepine called phenazepam, which is used in the short-term treatment of anxiety and as an anticonvulsant.
Stargate Operations Ltd director Matt Bowden, who imports the synthetic cannabinoid components used in products such as Kronic's Pineapple Express, said the company was not aware it contained phenazepam.
Mr Bowden confirmed yesterday the components came from China and were usually tested overseas before importation.
"We didn't know that it had been contaminated."
He confirmed he had smoked the product but recommended it be used only by heavy cannabis users.
"I don't recommend other people use any of the legal highs, including alcohol."
The maker of Kronic, Light-years Ahead Ltd, yesterday removed references to the product, marketed as giving users an "express train to funkytown", from its website.
Both companies said they were trying to find out how the contamination occurred and were working with authorities.
It is understood phenazepam is available as a prescription medicine only in Russia, and may be used elsewhere for medical research purposes.
National Poisons Centre toxicologist Dr Leo Schep, of Dunedin, said he was "appalled these cowboys" were inserting the drug into their synthetic cannabis product and selling it.
"I am exasperated ... shocked that they willy-nilly put in other chemicals to increase psychotropic effects on the user ... And they have no idea of the dose."
The effects of benzodiazepines, which were sedatives, were greatly increased when combined with alcohol, he said.
Smoking three or more joints of Pineapple Express would provide a large enough dosage of phenazepam to have considerable effects if combined with alcohol, he said.
"I'm not sure if it would get to the stage of respiratory repression. But it would definitely knock you out.
"We know what happens with a benzo and alcohol ... but we have no idea predicting what will happen with the added ingredient of these synthetic cannabinoids."
ESR forensic general manager Dr Keith Bedford said more than 40 synthetic cannabinoid products had been tested since May after a request from the Ministry of Health.
He confirmed one of those products, which is not produced by the maker of the Kronic varieties, was likely to contain phenazepam, but more research was required.
While the testing of Pineapple Express revealed the presence of phenazepam, four synthetic cannabinoids, notably JWH-018 and JWH-073, were also found.
It was likely phenazepam, rather than the synthetic cannabinoids, caused reported adverse reactions in people using the products.
"It is treated as a prescription medicine for a good reason," Dr Bedford said.
"It ought not to be in a smoking material."
Asked if it was potentially lethal, he said while the levels were relatively low - 300 parts per million - "we do not know what else might be consumed with this product and hence the unpredictable kind of reaction that might follow".
Health Ministry officials met Lightyears Ahead representatives yesterday, and will investigate further before making any decision on prosecutions.
Possible penalties for a breach of the Medicines Act 1980 include a company fine of $100,000, or six months in jail and a fine of $20,000 for an individual.
The presence of phenazepam was first suspected during a screening test in May, and was confirmed by subsequent tests.
Last week, the American inventor of synthetic cannabis, Dr John H. Huffman, warned users to stop using the products or risk serious psychological problems.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said the Pineapple Express product was one of the more popular brands of synthetic cannabis on the market, and it was now illegal to buy, sell, use or possess the product.
Lightyears Ahead had been directed to remove the product immediately.
In May, the Government announced it would place restrictions in the coming weeks on the sale and marketing of products containing synthetic cannabinoids.
A Medsafe spokesman confirmed information concerning Pineapple Express would be shared with overseas regulators.
The facts
Pineapple Express:
• Health Ministry believes it breaches Medicines Act 1981 because it contains medicine distributed without the consent of Health Minister.
• Contains unauthorised substance, phenazepam.
• Supplier directed to quarantine stock and recall product from retailers.
• Retailers asked to take if off shelves, return it to supplier.
Phenazepam:
• Reported to have anti-anxiety and anti-convulsant properties.
• Side effects include loss of co-ordination, dizziness, drowsiness, anterograde amnesia (inability to remember recent events).
• Double vision, delirium and psychosis reported with higher doses.
• Highly potent.
• Often results in loss of inhibitions, unusual behaviour.
Advice to consumers:
• Stop taking the product.
• Safely destroy it or return it to retailer for refund.
• Ring Healthline 0800 611 116 if concerned about health effects.
The penalty:
• Distributing an unapproved medicine can result in a fine of $20,000 and six months prison for an individual and $100,000 for a body corporate.
SOURCE: MINISTRY OF HEALTH
- Additional reporting The New Zealand Herald
