No more drugs

The Herald reports:

The Government is warning synthetic drug manufacturers and sellers that a grace period for licensing their products and stores has lapsed and only Ministry of Health-approved psychoactive products can now remain on shelves.

Police Minister Anne Tolley reported that a Hamilton dairy had already been penalised under the legal high reforms, which put the onus on drug-makers to prove their products were safe before sale.

The dairy had 2000 packets of synthetic cannabis worth $40,000 confiscated under new rules which banned sales from dairies, petrol stations or any stores which were not licensed specialty outlets.

Manufacturers, sellers, and importers were given 28 days since the passing of the Psychoactive Substances Bill on July 18 to acquire interim licences for their products, stores or imports from a new regulatory authority.

It will be very interesting to see which products, if any, are approved as safe.