Govt happy to take lead from Nero

HERE'S the scenario. You're out shopping and you come across one of those free-tasting tables, where kindly people prepare food and give it away.
All in the name of promoting a new product, or regenerating an existing one.
One day you come across a food product you've never heard of. It's sort of a substitute for other products which are said to be not so good for you. A healthy option ... that sort of thing.
So, you ask the kindly person ... what exactly is it?
They smile and admit they don't actually know what it is and what's in it, but say it must be okay because there it is ... on sale.
"Tastes really good ... you should try some," they coo.
Slightly edgy about it, you rightly walk away.
Because, you argue, people should know what things are and what possible effects there could be if it's something synthetic that the human system is not designed to ingest.
But of course such absurd bodily gambles don't happen do they?
Yes they do. Welcome to the real world ... or the unreal world.
A world where the cogs and gears of governmental concern do not turn with any great rapidity.
On the shelves of Kiwi dairies and shops designed to be an oasis for youth there are packets of synthetic marijuana ... perfectly legal according to the Government, as long as they are sold to kids 18 and over.
Oh yeah, that's gunna work ... like the way it worked when the drinking age was lowered.
This synthetic brain-soaker, suspiciously called "Kronic", has been bought and found in the possession of 13-year-olds. Some shops selling this garbage (which produces an effect similar to cannabis) are near schools.
Medical specialists such as Dr Tim Parke, the clinical director of Auckland Hospital's emergency department, have seen the results already - kids brought in suffering extreme anxiety and racing heart rates. He wants it made illegal.
He's far from alone.
The Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs released a report declaring that products such as Kronic (and yes, there are others available over the counter) are dangerous. And they were never extensively tested.
Some research has now shown that the synthetic and herbal-based cigarettes are even more harmful than cannabis.
Apart from the effects on a young brain, there are also the cloudy effects on kids' lungs.
So, how is the Government handling this potential disaster ... because despite what the "legalise it" lobby says ... these things will often open a path to heavier things.
Well, they're looking into it.
Get this, and take into account how quickly the Government was able to give the okay to finance a movie about little people with over-sized feet.
In March this year the associate Minister of Health, Peter Dunne, said the Government was enacting additional legislation to "limit" sales of synthetic cannabinoid substances to those over 18.
But here's the best part ... the changes are expected to apply from ... next April.
Yep, next April. About the same time they'll probably re-visit the drinking-age issue.
Brilliant work lads ... because in the meantime ...