25 Jul 2011

Immediate action wanted on synthetic cannabis

10:06 am on 25 July 2011

Auckland Chamber of Commerce is demanding that the Government outlaw the sale of synthetic cannabis products until they are proved safe.

Chief executive Michael Barnett, says more than 1000 members responded to a survey about the recreational drugs and most wanted them banned.

He says the chamber has written an open letter to Members of Parliament asking them to take action as soon as possible.

Mr Barnett says forthcoming changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act that will restrict the marketing of synthetic cannabis, do not go far enough.

Two products, Kronic Pineapple Express and Juicy Puff Super Strength, have been banned in the past four weeks, after being found to contain a sedative, phenazepam.