Government’s Response on Synthetic Cannabis “Weak”
Media Release
From Dick Quax
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Government’s Response on Synthetic Cannabis “Weak”
“Extremely weak” is how
Dick Quax describes the government’s response, announced
yesterday, that it is restricting the sale of synthetic
cannabis products to people 18 years and over.
“About six weeks ago, I was told by the mother of a 14 year old boy her son had been able to buy Kronic at the local dairy. What I found was that about half of all dairies in Pakuranga and Howick dairies are selling products such as Kronic, Tokeroa and Herbal High, which mimic marijuana and sold in ready to smoke joints. What is most disturbing that there is currently no age restriction on this stuff.”
“Since that story appeared in the local newspapers dozens of incidents have been related to me about the dangers of smoking this stuff. Most reported young people vomiting, hallucinating, having difficulty breathing and having elevated heart rates.”
“What surprised me was that very few parents are aware that this stuff was so readily available to their youngsters. In fact most have never heard of Kronic or the other so called herbal highs.”
“One diary which is within less than one hundred metres of a school advertises openly at least three synthetic cannabis products.”
“The government ought to take a lead from other countries such as France, Germany, Finland, Australia, Korea, UK, Japan and many states in the US which have made synthetic cannabis products illegal.”
ends