CONCERNS OVER 'CHEMICAL CANNABIS'

A widely available "chemical cannabis" is being monitored by the
Government after being banned in other countries.

The chemical compound JWH-018, sold as Spice or Dream, was recently banned
in Austria and was this week outlawed in Germany after tests showed it
affected the brain like THC, the natural psychoactive substance contained
in cannabis, but was four times stronger.

Drug agencies in New Zealand are calling for it to be classified as a
restricted substance, giving health authorities some control over its sale
and promotion.

They say the Government now has the legislation to protect consumers from
unspecified and untested chemical substances and should employ it faster.

Drug Foundation director Ross Bell said JWH-018 should be listed as a
restricted substance.

New Misuse of Drugs Act regulations meant the Health Minister could place
a substance on a restricted list, allowing authorities some control.

Controls included restrictions on things such as its sale at licensed
premises, petrol stations and places where children could gather, as well
as restricting sales to those aged over 18.

The product must also be clearly labelled as a restricted substance and
include contact details for the National Poisons Centre, Bell said.

The ingredients listed on JWH-018 product packaging made it appear "all
natural or made of things like pixie dust and fairy tears", he said.

However, its ingredients were unknown, posing a risk to those who took it.

"What is of concern to us is that the industry is behaving in a similar
way now as they did with party pills.

"They are selling the product with a list of whatever ingredients they
want and there are no controls in place or no health and safety
information to protect people buying it."

Ministry of Health spokeswoman Luz Baguioro said it was monitoring JWH-018
products as well as hospital admission data to identify adverse effects.

The ministry commissioned studies on the self-reported adverse effects of
non-regulated substances, including JWH-018, which will be finished this
year.

Baguioro said the ministry had not seen the international forensic
research confirming JWH-018 was the substance responsible for the
cannabis-like psychoactive effects.

Internet reports from users of JWH-018 praise its effectiveness, with one
saying "everyone who tries it reports near the exact same thing - a very
cannabis-like high, more stoney, less psychedelic, munchies, dry mouth,
red eye, strong about one to two hours then tapering off over six hours".

A Christchurch woman who tried JWH-018 said it made her slightly nauseous
because of its strong scent and taste.

It provided a "buzz" which lasted about an hour and a tingling in the arms
and legs.

Campaign Against Drugs on Roads (Candor) spokeswoman Rachael Ford said the
chemical cannabis was a big risk because the general toxicity levels were
not known.

Ford said Candor wanted a "suitably rapid response" from the Government to
clamp down on sales.

She called on the Health Ministry to regulate JWH-018 at the earliest
convenience until tests demonstrated it was completely safe.