Scientist pushing K2 ban agrees natural Cannabis less harmful

In an interview on National Radio Dr Leo Schep, the toxicologist behind the Kronic ban, admitted that natural cannabis is less harmful than synthetic products currently available.

In a segment on the Nine to Noon programme a Mosgiel mother called for an immediate ban on K2 after her son experienced behavioural problems, and Dr Schep discussed Peter Dunne's Psychoactive Substances Bill, aimed at curbing the harms of synthetic cannabinoids.

Dr Schep said "synthetic cannabinoids are a hyped up version of marijuana... these were designed to lock into parts of the brain... more severely and stronger."

And when pressed by Kathryn Ryan as to whether we have "got a perverse situation at the moment where perhaps the more dangerous product is the legal one and the other is illegal." Schep agreed and said "you're right, you're absolutely right".

Although Ms Ryan mentioned potential issues arising from a black market, Dr Schep concluded "If they were taken out of the dairy today we would cut our problem in half".

But Otago NORML spokesman Abe Gray thinks we can get rid of the entire problem and address black market issues by allowing natural cannabis to be legally bought and sold.

"The demand for K2 would be wiped out overnight if users could legally buy natural cannabis instead of having to turn to the black market which only profits the gangs," Mr Gray said.

The Mosgiel mother admitted her son had been a user of natural cannabis but found it hard to get so he switched to synthetics. It wasn't until he started smoking K2 that the behavioural problems arose.

ENDS

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