Synthetic cannabis has been cited as the "motivating factor" in a spate of crime including robberies in Dunedin, police say.
Officers are working with West Australian counterparts as they tackle the increasing problems associated with the legal cannabis substitute Kronic.
Tomorrow, it becomes illegal to possess or supply synthetic cannabinoids,
such as Kronic, in the Australian state. Those who do will risk a fine of up to A$100,000 ($131,000) or a jail term of up to 25 years.
Sergeant Chris McLellan, of Dunedin, said there had been a spate of Kronic-related crimes in his city.
Frontline agencies were noting a "social cost" coming from Kronic use, including mental health problems and crime.
"We now have reported incidents where Kronic is the key motivator for robberies," Mr McLellan said.
"There is a reason this has been banned in 16 different countries around the world."
Countries to have banned cannabinoids include Germany, France, Britain, Japan and Ireland.
Dunedin-Clutha area commander Inspector Dave Campbell said police were receiving reports from "numerous groups and agencies about the adverse affects of Kronic".
"It is clearly a driver behind recent offending. People are committing crimes to sustain Kronic habits."
Mirror Services director Deb Fraser said it "does not matter whether it is legal or illegal, young people are telling us they are using it and can get access to it".
The counselling service, which also runs youth drug and alcohol programmes, noted children aged 15 and younger having problems with Kronic.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said retailers were reminded it was an offence to sell cannabinoids to under-18s.
Those products were likely to be reclassified as a restricted substance next year.
- Otago Daily Times
