WA bans synthetic cannabinoids

The Government of Western Australia has banned synthetic cannabinoids contained in products such as Kronic, Kalma, Voodoo, Kaos and Mango Kush after an extensive investigation by key government agencies into the harmful effects of these drugs. An investigation undertaken by the Drug and Alcohol Office, WA Police, the Department of Health and the ChemCentre found there was sufficient evidence of harm to ban synthetic cannabinoids.

“These products, commonly sold as incense and often labelled as ‘not for human consumption’, are being smoked by people seeking effects similar to those of cannabis and these people are placing their health at risk,” said WA Mental Health Minister Helen Morton.

Once banned, these synthetic cannabinoids would become illicit products and anyone caught with them could be charged for possession, selling, supplying or intent to sell or supply, said Morton. “People now have four days to safely dispose of products containing these chemicals before they are added to the Poisons Act 1964 on Friday 17 June and become illegal,” she said. “In the meantime, retailers of synthetic cannabinoids and their customers should consider themselves warned and immediately take steps to dispose of these substances safely and responsibly.”

Police Minister Rob Johnson has advised every police station in WA can receive Kronic and any other synthetic cannabinoids from now until Friday to ensure safe disposal. WA Health Minister Kim Hames said he had instructed the Department of Health to progress listing these chemicals as banned substances under the Poisons Act. To complement this, WA Police would make subsequent changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act. “Testing by the ChemCentre showed products such as Kronic contained chemicals known as synthetic cannabinoids, which may produce similar effects to cannabis and can raise heart rate, blood pressure and cause anxiety and hallucinations,” he said.

Some people would continue to try to develop new designer drugs to bypass existing laws and to sell for the intoxication of others, said Morton. “I recognise that banning these substances in WA is only part of the solution and the state government will also be contributing towards a national response in dealing with synthetic cannabinoids, and other synthetic substances that may pose a public health risk,” she said. “The relevant agencies will continue to work closely together to rapidly identify and respond to these trends and to address other drug misuse issues.”