INDEPENDENT NEWS

NORML Issues Health Warning About Toxic Marijuana

Published: Fri 13 Oct 2000 04:11 PM
The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws today issued a health warning that marijuana sprayed by the Police with a deadly poison is being sold in Auckland.
A cannabis smoker brought NORML a sample of the toxic blue pot, unaware that it had been sprayed, but complaining of headaches, nausea and severe coughing fits.
While it was apparent to NORML spokesperson Chris Fowlie that the marijuana had been sprayed, the smoker had not detected the residues on their marijuana, which naturally comes in a wide variety of colours, including blue and purple strains.
For the past two growing seasons, police with the Helicopter Eradication Programme have sprayed outdoor marijuana plantations with a toxic herbicide based on Round Up, a carcinogenic poison that is sold with warnings cautioning against use near people, foods and waterways.
NORML has repeatedly warned police that sprayed marijuana would still be sold on the streets, but the police did not seem to care that their actions could result in the deliberate poisoning of a substantial number of New Zealanders.
NORML believes that this action by the Police potentially exposes the Government to a costly class-action lawsuit, and that the Ministry of Health should step in and stop the police from continuing this harmful practise.
A sample of the poison pot is available for viewing, and will shortly be handed in to the Police for proper and safe disposal - something that should have been done at the time of spraying.
Contact: Chris Fowlie (09) 302-5255

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