Hon Peter Dunne
Associate Minister of Health
Friday, 30 March 2012Media Release
More Synthetic Cannabinoids Being Banned
A further three synthetic cannabis substances found in products sold in some dairies are in the process of being banned
and are expected to be off the shelves by the end of next week, Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne announced
today.
This will soon bring to 24 the number of substances banned under Temporary Class Drug Notices, Mr Dunne said. The
provisions in the Misuse of Drugs Act to issue such notices became law in August 2011.
The latest substances have been identified as the chemicals AM-1248, AM-2232 and UR-144.
“I am informed by the Ministry of Health that these substances are understood to have been found in products called
Spice Gold, Spice Diamond and Tai High,” said Mr Dunne.
Mr Dunne says today’s announcement means that any products containing these substances must be removed from retail
shelves and should no longer be sold over the internet in New Zealand.
The Temporary Class Drug Notice will come into force on 6 April.
Temporary Class Drug Notices are a holding measure until permanent legislation can be developed this year to reverse the
onus of proof so all such products must meet appropriate levels of safety before they can be approved and sold.
A total of 23 synthetic cannabis substances will be subject to temporary bans once the latest notice comes into force.
In addition, Mr Dunne recently announced a temporary ban on the stimulant substance DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), which
will come into force on 9 April. DMAA is the first substance other than synthetic cannabis substances to be banned using
the temporary notices.
The notices are issued on substances rather than commercial products, meaning that the products that contain those
substances effectively become banned.
ENDS