More synthetic cannabis on the Perth market
A potentially dangerous synthetic form of cannabis is being legally sold from a shop opposite a Perth primary school.
The new drug, called Venom, is a synthetic cannabanoid whose chemical makeup is so unique it is not covered by existing drug legislation, meaning anyone is able to legally purchase it.
It has highlighted the ongoing difficulty in banning new drugs as they come to the market, with Australian governments playing catch-up on legislation.
Last year the WA state government banned a further 14 synthetic cannabanoids following an influx from New Zealand.
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But the legislative changes came a day too late for one man who died hours after smoking a synthetic cannabanoid called Kronic, which had become popular in the city.
Opposition leader Mark McGowan said the government had failed to pay attention to the problem, allowing new drugs to slip through the net.
Venom was being sold for $70 a packet and there were reports it was also being sold in regional areas, he said.
"Products like this start to flourish around the place because police, I think, haven't been given direction or instruction to get on the case about these issues," he told 6PR Radio.
"You need to have vigilance, you need to actually watch what comes on to market and deal with it immediately by way of regulation and/or law.
"The government has obviously taken their eye off the ball."
Synthetic cannabanoids are known to cause unusual behaviour and could lead to death.
"We've had reports of young people behaving very strange having taken this drug (Venom)," Mr McGowan said.
Mr McGowan called on Premier Colin Barnett to immediately look at laws to deal with the issue of new drug formulas.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/more-synthetic-cannabis-on-the-perth-market-20121107-28xk3.html
