Stop smoking fake pot, inventor urges

The American inventor of synthetic cannabis warns users to stop immediately or risk serious psychological problems.
"Do not use these products," said Emeritus Professor John Huffman, of South Carolina.
As an organic chemist at Clemson University, Professor Huffman developed the appetite stimulant JWH 018 - a chemical mimicking the effect of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.
He said he was "not the least bit surprised" that the compound had been adapted to make cannabinoids, such as Kronic, which was widely available throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Asked for his advice to anyone smoking the product, Professor Huffman was unequivocal - "Stop".
"It can lead to serious psychological problems... It's not known if they are irreversible."
Imitation-cannabis products, largely manufactured in China, were marketed in the US as Spice or K2, and producers "wouldn't listen as long as they are making money", he said.
However, Professor Huffman stopped short of recommending NZ ban or even reclassify the product.

"It's probably useless. Marijuana has been illegal in the United States since 1937."
One person supporting a ban is Dr Leo Schep, a toxicologist with the Dunedin-based National Poisons Centre, who said people should take heed of Professor Huffman's warnings over the effects of synthetic cannabis.
"He would know this product better than anyone else in the world.
"If he said don't use it, I would respect that opinion."
Cannabis substitutes were probably created by chemicals such as JWH 018 and "spraying willy nilly".
Dr Schep said the poisons centre was the "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff". It had recorded a spike of 10 calls a month relating to cannabis substitutes, and expected that to rise to 20 this month.
"It is the tip of the iceberg. If we have a jump... that is a good indication something is out there.
Dr Schep has talked to staff at Dunedin Hospital emergency department concerning cannabinoids, including background information and symptoms. Cannabinoids were banned in Western Australia this month.
ED clinical leader Dr Tim Kerruish has said health issues include anxiety, increased heart rates and blood pressure and in one case seizures.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says that restrictions on cannabinoid products such as Kronic could be expected within a week when Parliament passes amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 2005.
SYNTHETIC CANNABIS
* John W. Huffman, now a professor emeritus of organic chemistry in the US, synthesised many cannabinoids (such as JWH 18, which is named after him) that mimic THC, the principal active component of cannabis.
* Initial research into cannabinoids aimed to treat nausea and glaucoma and stimulate appetites.
* Two of Professor Huffman's cannabinoids were sold in Germany as K2 and Spice and have since been marketed around the world, including Kronic in New Zealand and Australia.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES

Police delighted with public help in war against cannabis

POLICE have thanked the community following the discovery of two large cannabis factories in Swindon.
More than 400 cannabis plants were found in two raids the haul of class-B drugs recovered was worth an estimated street value of £160,000.
And now local officers want to say thanks to those law-abiding citizens who take a stand against criminals.
North Swindon Neighbourhood Policing Team received two tip-offs in the space of a week that residents feared their neighbours were growing the illegal plants.
As a result of information from the public, officers were able to apply for drug warrants and raid two properties in Stratton and Haydon End.
On June 15 police discovered 30 plants in a derelict bungalow in Swindon Road, Stratton, thanks to a tip-off from a local person.
And on June 17, officers discovered around 400 cannabis plants, thought to be worth in the region of £160,000, at a house in White Eagle Road, Haydon End.
Hydroponics equipment valued at hundreds of pounds had been set up to grow the plants at the property, and the offenders had also illegally tapped into the electricity supply.
Enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible as neither property was occupied at the time of the raids.
Barry Reed, acting sergeant for the team, said: “We rely on information we receive from members of the public to stop the cultivation and supply of illegal drugs in Swindon.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public and to urge them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.
“They can be assured that any information we receive will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”
Speaking after a major drugs operation last week, Acting Supt Mike Jones also said the community were an important element in the fight against all drugs.
He said: “We are intelligence driven and we rely on the good work of the public to support us in what we do.
“Without people coming forward and giving information to us directly or through Crimestoppers we would have a greater battle.”
“We are able to use the information and put it into action and I would encourage people to tell us even the smallest detail as it may be part of a much larger puzzle.”

Edith Schippers is seriously considering categorising cannabis with a high THC content as a banned drug.

THE HAGUE, 25/06/11 - Health Minister Edith Schippers is seriously considering categorising cannabis with a high THC content as a banned drug.
On Friday, a commission set up by the previous cabinet presented recommendations on cannabis to Schippers and Security and Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten. The commission urges the classification of cannabis with over 15 percent THC in the category of 'hard drugs'.
Schippers said she will study the advice "carefully" and that there is a realistic chance that she will adopt it. She stressed that the share of the active ingredient THC has risen steeply in recent years to many times above quantities that are found in cannabis grown under natural conditions.
The consequences for users of such strong cannabis are "very intense," according to the conservative (VVD) minster. Research shows that cannabis, specifically in high concentrations, can lead to psychological complaints and illnesses such as schizophrenia and anxiety attacks.
In the Netherlands, the law makes a distinction between 'soft drugs' (cannabis and hash) and 'hard drugs', such as heroin, cocaine and XTC. Categorising strong cannabis as a hard drug would mean 'coffee shops' (drugs cafes) could be closed down if they went on selling it.
On average, the THC content of hashish and cannabis sold in the Netherlands is currently18 percent. If the recommendation is adopted, the sale of about half of all soft drugs would no longer be permitted.

Cannabis and poppy are Kashmir's new cash crops

Forget rice and wheat,poppy, bhang and charas are virtually the newest cash crops in the south Kashmir bowl. Lakhs of kanals (20 kanal form one hectare) of land is under the cultivation of bhang and charas in south and central Kashmir. More than 200 kanals of land is under the illegal cultivation of poppy in four districts of south Kashmir. Figures released by the J&K government have revealed shocking details about the drug trafficking in the trouble-torn state.
In 2009 the law enforcement agencies seized, 168.775 kilograms of Charas, 01.390 kilograms of Opium and 10961.505 kilograms of Opium derivatives from the drug traffickers. Similarly, 51.974 kilograms of Charas, 02.414 kilograms Opium, 16577.550 kilograms of Opium derivatives, 68 kilograms of Bhang and 24 kilograms of Ganja were seized by April 2010.
“We have almost completed destruction of the poppy crops this year. It is the bhang which is spread over lakhs of kanals in forests, cervices and other areas in the wild”, said Raja Aijaz Ali, Inspector General of Police (Crime branch) Jammu and Kashmir.
People in some parts of south Kashmir have a long history of cultivation of cannabis and more recently the phenomenon of poppy cultivation has gained ground. The practice got multiplied with the onset of militancy since law enforcing agencies did not pay attention to this menace as they were busy battling terror.
Police said cultivating this poison also gained currency because of the high demand of Charas and other drugs in Punjab and other states of the country. The money involved was high and the farmers were getting more returns from the cultivation of illegal crops than usual cash crops. Plus the illegal crops require less irrigation and the question of crop failure in case of bad monsoon is ruled out.
Alarmed by the phenomenon the Jammu and Kashmir government is working on two tracks to get rid of the illegal crops: they want to convince farmers to switch over to alternative crops and second they are going all guns blazing to destroy the existing crops
“We have asked the agriculture department to form a scheme of alternative crops that can be sown in place of illegal crops. Once government of India approves it we will go to the farmers and try to convince them to switch to these cash crops”, said Raja Aijaz Ali.
During this year 21 cases were registered under NDPS in Awantipora police station with as many as 21 persons being arrested and five vehicles seized. Large stretches of cultivated Cannabis and poppy were destroyed with dedicated efforts.
For greater deterrence 12 persons were detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) under which a person can be detained for two years without trial or bail. Moreover, the process for attaching the property of many big wigs of this murky business has been initiated.