CANNABIS UTENSILS OUTLAWED

Cannabis users will have to become "do it yourselfers" if they wish to use
pipes and bongs to smoke the drug.

From July 1, it was illegal to import and supply utensils that may be used
to administer cannabis.

Sergeant Graham Hall, of Timaru police, said he did not believe the ban
would stop any current smokers or prevent others from trying cannabis.

"If anyone wants to try it they will, they don't need utensils to smoke it
when they can put it straight to their lips," he said.

Mr Hall said 40 per cent of utensils police seized were home-made. "We come
across some very elaborate home-made utensils."

One retail outlet in Timaru had contacted police for information about the
new law, he said.

A retailer, who did not wish to be named, told the Herald said she was
aware a year ago the law would come into effect and had stopped re-stocking
the products.

Mr Hall said police would not "go looking" for people selling pipes and
bongs, "but like anything else, if we get any information, we would
investigate."

Cannabis use in Timaru was far more widespread than in the past said Mr
Hall, "We know that it is in the schools, and there is a wide range of
age-group participation," he said.

Prosecution for possession of utensils would fall under the Misuse of Drugs
Act, which carried a maximum one-year prison term or $500 fine.