A Temporary Class Drug Notice banning a substance found in tested samples of the K2 synthetic cannabis product has been annoucned today by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.
K2 has recently caused concern in communities including the Bay of Plenty, where it has been connected to a number of incidents and its use has been tied to elevated heart rate, vomiting, anxiety and psychosis.
A substance identified as EAM-2201 was found in two K2 products seized by police from a retail outlet and will now be subject to a temporary drug notice taking effect from Thursday, December 6.
From that date, it will be illegal to import, manufacture, sell or supply the substance.
Mr Dunne said: "The Health Ministry considers that EAM-2201 poses a risk at least comparable to other already banned synthetic cannabis substances, therefore I have made the decision that it needs to be banned.