Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Can I turn to the fake cannabis issue? Commonwealth and state regulatory authorities are concerned about products which are reported to have the same effect as the illegal drug. The ingredients in these products are often not disclosed and their health effects are unknown. I implore people who are considering using them not to do so because of the unrelated health impacts. States can immediately ban such substances, as I indicated in answer to the primary question, under their own drugs and poisons legislation, and WA has moved that way. The Commonwealth is currently considering a request to prohibit a number of synthetic cannabinoids such as Kronic. This is independent of government and is based on intelligence and information available to the delegate. It is important to note that these scheduling decisions are recommendations to the jurisdictions so we can schedule and make those recommendations. The enforcement of restrictions will remain with the states. (Time expired)