Editorial: Goodbye K2 and it's good riddance

Is it coincidence that a media backlash against synthetic cannabis product K2 has preceded this week's announcement that it will be illegal from next week?

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne announced the ban on Wednesday after two illegal substances were found in K2.

A Temporary Class Drug Notice has been issued and products containing these substances will no longer be on shelves from Thursday, May 9.

It will also be illegal to import, manufacture, sell or supply the substances, with penalties of up to eight years in prison.

Coincidence or not, it is good to see K2 off the shelves.

The Northern Advocate highlighted local lawyer Dave Sayes' concerns about the product last week and we urged retailers to not wait for the pending Psychoactive Substances Bill, which will ban these substances.

We urged retailers to take a moral stance and not sell these products.

Why? Because there are an increasing number of anecdotal horror stories emerging about K2.

This is a product that targets the youth market (chocolate-scented packaging, anyone?) and in doing so, does not divulge its ingredients.

Buy K2 and you are buying a mystery sachet of harmful ingredients.

Health concerns about K2 include suspicions that it can cause seizures and dramatically alter the user's personality.

The Northern Advocate contacted a health expert who confirmed that yes, he has seen people believed to be suffering the ill effects of synthetic cannabis use.

However, on an average night in emergency departments around New Zealand, it is alcohol - not synthetic cannabis - that remains society's problematic drug.

Having knocked K2 off, it seems there is still a mountain to climb when it comes to our attitudes to booze.