Alarm bells ring for ‘legal high’ dealers

 

Leading figures in the synthetic cannabis industry are meeting today to discuss ways of reining in their own behaviour to avoid a ban on their products.

The meeting comes after two “legal highs” were found to contain the prescription sedative phenazepam.

Zaid Musa, of Enjoi Products, and Matt Bowden, who imports chemicals used in Kronic, called the meeting after the Herald reported Kronic was being advertised on mainstream radio last week.

Matthew Wielenga from Lightyears Ahead, the company behind Kronic, will also attend.

Mr Musa said the industry was “getting out of control” and the meeting was an effort to rein in behaviour that could lead to an official ban being imposed.

One long-term retailer said sales of synthetic cannabis products “virtually stopped overnight” once the news of phenazepam’s presence broke on Thursday.

The meeting will also discuss a code of practice for ingredient testing, limits on advertising, dairies near schools stocking synthetic cannabis and Kronic’s pre-rolled joints, which health officials say target younger users.

Screening by Environmental Science and Research (ESR) revealed that Kronic’s Pineapple Express and Cosmic Corner’s Juicy Puff Super Strength contained phenazepam.

ESR’s general manager of forensic research, Dr Keith Bedford, said just over 40 synthetic cannabis products were tested after employers asked about the risks the drugs posed in the workplace.

Although all the analysing had not been completed, Dr Bedford said, “nothing else of the unexpected and alarming nature of finding phenazepam has surfaced”.

But he warned consumers not to assume all other products were free of drugs such as the prescription sedative.

“I’m not wanting to imply some kind of blanket assurance that all other products are okay. I simply don’t know that.”

Dr Bedford said the products contained a “bewildering” number of synthetic cannabinoids in many different combinations. “Products come and go and are reformulated.”

Chris Fowlie, co-owner of the Hemp Store in central Auckland, said sales of synthetic cannabis “virtually stopped overnight” after the phenazepam discovery.

He said he had not been not invited to today’s meeting, but had a simple message for those who would be attending.

“I’m hoping they pull their heads in, stop chasing the quick buck, and look at the long-term future of the industry.”

Mr Fowlie said it was astounding that at a time of intense media interest and clear community concern, some in the industry had paid for radio advertisements.

“It’s like some of these guys are just hanging themselves by their own rope. I just can’t fathom it.”

Greens warn of legal war over plain packets

 Enforcing Australian-style unbranded cigarette packets in New Zealand could cost the Government dearly unless it unpicks part of a trade treaty, the Greens warned yesterday.

Philip Morris, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, has threatened to sue the Australian Government for billions of dollars over its bill to require standardised, de-branded tobacco packaging.

The New Zealand Government is exploring following the Australian move. Intended to come into effect next year, it is aimed at neutering the cool factor that plays such a big part in hooking young people into smoking.

The international tobacco company’s legal threat was made by its Asian subsidiary under Australia’s bilateral investment treaty with Hong Kong. If mandatory negotiations fail, the case will go to arbitration under United Nations rules.

Philip Morris argues that forcing its tobacco into olive-brown coloured packets with large, disturbing health warnings and standardised fonts for brand names – the Australian plan – robs the company of the value of its brands, such as Marlboro and Peter Jackson.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says New Zealand has a similar investment deal with Hong Kong to Australia’s, leaving it open to similar legal action if it opts for plain packaging.

“New Zealand is currently reviewing our free trade deal with Hong Kong. We call on the Government to remove all investor rights protections so that we can regulate for good public health without the risk of Philip Morris suing us.

“We also call on the Government to release the draft text of the intellectual property section of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks with the US. We need to know what rights our Government is handing over to Philip Morris in those negotiations.

“We think these decisions shouldn’t be made by some tribunal in Singapore or wherever.

“These kinds of decisions are the decisions of democratic sovereign nations and we’ve got a right to make those decisions.”

Trade Minister Tim Groser is in India and his office did not reply to Herald questions.

Australian ministers have said their Government’s legal case is strong and it won’t be intimidated by Philip Morris.

Australia is expected to argue a defence of public interest for plain packaging; Philip Morris is likely to say there is no public interest because plain packaging hasn’t been shown to reduce smoking.

But marketing expert Professor Janet Hoek, of Otago University, said there was a growing body of evidence that plain packaging reduced smoking rates.

She said research with young people had shown they found plain tobacco packaging uncool and unappealing – factors expected to help stop people smoking and to deter young people from taking up the habit.

COOL FACTOR ZERO

* Unbranded cigarette packets will come into effect next year in Australia.

* They will be olive-brown coloured packets with large, disturbing health warnings and standardised fonts for brand names.

* The New Zealand Government is looking into doing the same here.