19 Apr 2011

Forestry industry worried about synthetic cannabis

6:11 am on 19 April 2011

The Forestry Owners Association says more action may be needed on synthetic cannabis if its use undermines the industry's health and safety rules.

The availability of New Zealand-made synthetic cannabis cigarettes in Australia has prompted the mining industry there to ask for the legality of the products to be examined.

A toxicologist providing advice to the Australian Federal Police says the substance in the cigarettes can't be detected in preliminary workplace drug testing.

The New Zealand Government is waiting for legislation to be passed to ban the sale of the cannabis substitute to anyone under 18.

Forestry Owners Association chief executive David Rhodes says that may not be enough to deal with a drug that impairs people, but which business can't test for.