Three more synthetic cannabis users taken to Rotorua hospital

More people have been taken to hospital suffering the effects of synthetic cannabis. Photo/File

Three more synthetic cannabis users were taken to hospital in Rotorua today, bringing the total number treated in the past week to at least 17.

Two people initially taken to Rotorua Hospital later chose to leave the Emergency Department without treatment.

A third person was brought in this afternoon and was still in ED this evening, said hospital spokeswoman Sue Wilkie.

Meanwhile, bystanders at an incident outside the Rotorua Public Library this afternoon said three people appeared to be having seizures on the street and one woman was so unwell she couldn't walk without help.

Emergency services were unable to confirm whether the trio were synthetic cannabis users, referring the Rotorua Daily Post to the hospital.

Ms Wilkie said she was not able to confirm if the person brought in this afternoon was the same one taken by ambulance from the library.

"Three people were having seizures on synthetic marijuana," said bystander Tuterangi Te Huehue.

He had seen one woman who was so unwell she had to be helped to walk from one side of the road to another by an emergency services worker.

A St John spokesman confirmed one person had been taken to hospital in a moderate condition about 2.30pm.

Two people refused to be taken to hospital.

Two men, aged 40 and 20, were treated at the scene. It was not clear if they were the pair to refuse hospital treatment, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile police confirmed officers had attended the Rotorua Public Library this afternoon after reports of disorder.

It was heard a group of gang members were attempting to get into the library wearing their patches, a police spokeswoman said.

Police arrested two people, who have been charged with disorder and wearing gang regalia in a government building.

One was also charged with marijuana possession.

"I have no word that this involved synthetic cannabis," the spokeswoman said.

A 30-year-old man is due to appear in Rotorua Court tomorrow.

In the past week, at least 17 people have been treated in Rotorua Hospital after presenting with synthetic cannabis-related symptoms.

Five people were taken to hospital last Friday, four on Saturday, four on Sunday, one yesterday and three today. One patient was taken to Taupo Hospital on Saturday.

One man who died in the Rotorua district at the weekend may have been a synthetic cannabis user, police said.

Symptoms are said to include immediate vomiting, loss of consciousness and violent behaviour.

Rotorua police have not been able to confirm if the incidents are linked to a similar deadly mix affecting users in Auckland recently.