In an interview on National Radio Dr Leo Schep, the toxicologist behind the Kronic ban, admitted that natural cannabis is less harmful than synthetic products currently available.
In a segment on the Nine to Noon programme a Mosgiel mother called for an immediate ban on K2 after her son experienced behavioural problems, and Dr Schep discussed Peter Dunne's Psychoactive Substances Bill, aimed at curbing the harms of synthetic cannabinoids.
Dr Schep said "synthetic cannabinoids are a hyped up version of marijuana... these were designed to lock into parts of the brain... more severely and stronger."
And when pressed by Kathryn Ryan as to whether we have "got a perverse situation at the moment where perhaps the more dangerous product is the legal one and the other is illegal." Schep agreed and said "you're right, you're absolutely right".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be_xKuDRFFg

This is an amazing lecture and it has way too few views! The talk covers the way biological life is organised in respect to the role of cannabinoids as biochemical balances. There are some technical terms but it is generally worded in a non-technical format which is understandable to almost anyone. :)

Who, what, why: How can you spot a cannabis farm in your street?

Police say cannabis growers are moving away from commercial and industrial sites towards ordinary houses. But how can you spot a cannabis farm in your street?

Cannabis growing in the suburbs is soaring, with about 21 farms or factories being discovered every day, a new report by the Association of Chief Police Officers says.

The problem has persisted for a while, with insurer Aviva reporting a 30% year-on-year increase in cannabis damage claims last year as criminals turned to rented houses to cultivate plants.

Now the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) says most of the cannabis consumed in Britain is homegrown and is urging the public to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhood.

And householders might just want to know for their own sake too.

Continue reading the main story

The answer - a potted guide

• Thermal imaging equipment can detect heat surges caused by growing lamps
• High electricity bills can be a giveaway
• Neighbours may give anonymous tip-offs if they suspect illegal activity
• People cultivating cannabis farms may stay on the move to avoid detection
• Permanently shuttered or covered windows can be a warning sign

• Inside a cannabis factory

Drugs and society
Over the last two decades arrests for cannabis possession have halved, despite a police reassurance that they are not soft on drugs. Massey University drug researcher Chris Wilkins tells Breakfast it might be society that has gone soft instead.
http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/monday-april-30-4857288/video?vid=4857309

Armed dial-a-tinny drug dealers are stepping up their operation in Auckland, delivering drugs to workplaces and hospitals, and touting for customers by handing out business cards in local malls, police say.

The gang-linked dealers are also carrying out standovers to steal vehicles and are trading cars in when they know they are "hot".

Police say the crews, aged in their late teens and early 20s, are routinely being caught in cars laden with cannabis and cash and with cellphones full of text message orders.

"It's absolutely rife and when you speak to anyone on the street, it's blatant - they're handing cards out - every area seems to be doing it," Acting Sergeant John Nicol of the Counties Manukau Road Crime Unit said.

A tiny Spanish village has voted to lease land for growing marijuana as a source of desperately needed revenue - a unique but legally questionable way of battling an economic crisis highlighted by staggering unemployment and a looming recession.
A government official with the National Drug Plan said such planting would in fact be against the law and that prosecutors would intervene as soon as the first pot seed was sown.
The village of Rasquera, population 900 and in the northeastern Catalonia region, said its town hall councillors approved the plan yesterday in a 4-3 vote.
Rasquera is a picturesque, compact hamlet of stone buildings at the foot of a mountain range in Tarragona province. It has a castle that dates back to the 12th century.

Police seized more than $2 million worth of cannabis in just one week across the greater Auckland area and blame ''premium growing conditions'' for some plants topping two metres tall.
Twenty-three people were arrested and 14 firearms were confiscated from suspected drug growers as part of a national cannabis recovery operation run by police and the air force. 
Those arrested face cultivation of cannabis and possession of firearms charges.
Firearms recovered included shotguns, rifles and semi-automatics.
An air force Iroquois from Ohakea flew to Whenuapai for the operation run with North Shore and Waitakere police and the Waitemata law enforcement team. 
Some of the 2000 plants netted were reached by police winched into plantations from a helicopter.
Many plants were the highest they had ever seized at 2.1m tall.

A 71-year-old pensioner charged with cultivating 121 cannabis plants was arrested after his 10-year-old son took cannabis to his primary school.
Edward Stadler, who rents a property on State Highway 1 at Te Horo and also uses the surname Grunert, appeared in Levin District Court yesterday. He was remanded on bail to reappear later this month.
Police raided his property on February 9 and charged him with cultivation.