The Associated Health Minister has issued his first temporary class drug notice under new laws that will see synthetic drugs such as Kronic off the shelves next week.
Peter Dunne says the 12-month notice listing 16 synthetic cannabis-like substances makes them the equivalent of Class C1 drugs.
Mr Dunne says it will be illegal to manufacture, import or sell any of the products from 16 August.
These substances are untested and suppliers cannot experiment on New Zealand's young people, he says.
The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act will also make precursor substances used in illegal manufacture of methamphetamine available only on prescription.
Meanwhile, an importer of synthetic cannabis products says he is getting out of the business now that the law has been passed banning products such as Kronic.
Matt Bowden says it was disappointing that the Government passed up the chance to regulate synthetic cannabinoids when it had the chance to.
