SYDNEY: Australia imposed an interim ban on 19 synthetic cannabis and cocaine-like drugs yesterday as part of a crackdown on the psychoactive substances which mimic the highs of their illegal counterparts.
Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury said the 19 products would be banned from sale and supply for up to 120 days under consumer laws, a measure which will give states and territories time to update their laws to ban them.
“Synthetic drugs are dangerous substances that can kill and should not be available for sale,” Bradbury said.
Many synthetic drugs are already banned in parts of Australia, but Bradbury said the market was fast-moving and suppliers had shown a willingness to change brand names and packaging to get around bans made under consumer laws.
New South Wales temporarily banned synthetic drugs earlier this month after a 17-year-old Sydney boy fell to his death after taking a synthetic LSD product which made him believe he could fly.
Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare confirmed yesterday that the government will also develop legislation to ensure unauthorised synthetic drugs cannot be imported. — AFP