30 Jun 2011

Importer, Customs at odds over testing of Kronic

7:28 pm on 30 June 2011

The company importing chemicals used to make the synthetic cannabis drug Kronic Pineapple Express says it believed every shipment was being tested by Customs, but Customs says that's not so.

The Ministry of Health has ordered retailers to remove Kronic Pineapple Express from their shelves because it contains the restricted prescription medicine phenazepam.

Matt Bowden from the importers, Stargate Enterprises Ltd, says virtually every shipment of chemicals from China has been stopped by Customs and identity tested by Environment Science and Research.

But the Customs Service says it doesn't test the chemicals because they're not controlled or restricted by the Government in any way.

Mr Bowden says he stands by his comments.

The distribution company for the drug, Lightyears Ahead Ltd, says Kronic Pineapple Express was not intended to contain phenazepam, which is used to treat epilepsy.

It says it will withdraw the product and work with the Ministry of Health to determine the source of the contamination.

Stewart Jessamine from Medsafe says the side affects from phenazepam include confusion, disorientation, amnesia, hallucinations and collapse.

These are symptoms doctors in emergency departments have noticed in people who say they've been taking Pineapple Express.

ESR says it should know by Friday whether a second herbal high contains a potent prescription drug used to contol anxiety and epilepsy.