'PINEAPPLE EXPRESS' KRONIC RECALLED

The Ministry of Health is recalling one of the brands of the
synthetic cannabis Kronic, called Pineapple Express, because it
contains the prescription medicine phenazepam.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said phenazepam was an
anti-anxiety and anti-convulsion drug. It could be harmful to people
with a mental health condition or on other medications, as well as to
pregnant women and children. Its effects were more pronounced when
combined with alcohol.

"This particular product, because it contains a prescription
medicine, is now illegal to buy, sell, use or possess without a
doctor's prescription."

The restriction applied to retailers, wholesalers, and any member of
the public who bought the product, he said.

The discovery of the medicine confirmed the dangers of suppliers
putting unregulated drugs on the market when their safety was
unproven, Dunne said.

"This clearly shows the worth of the Government's moves to change the
onus of proof so producers and suppliers of these products need to
prove they are safe before they can sell them."

Currently authorities had to prove such products were unsafe before
they could be taken off the market.

Dunne said the company that supplied the product, Lightyears Ahead,
would be officially informed it was required to recall Pineapple
Express from retailers immediately.

The Ministry would conduct further investigations before making any
decision on a possible prosecution, he said. A similar product was
also being investigated and further action might be taken shortly.

In the next few weeks the Government will place restrictions on the
sale and marketing of products such as those containing synthetic
cannabinoids in proposed amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Smokefree legislation means it is already illegal to sell these
products to those under 18.

Environmental Science and Research (ESR) is currently testing about
40 synthetic cannabinoids products.