Kronik not a happy drug
A legal synthetic drug called Kronik has sparked health concerns from the Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies, WANADA.
The organisation said despite warnings on websites that sell the synthetic cannabis product, young people working in construction or at mine sites appeared unaware or unfazed by its risks.
WANADA chief executive Jill Rundle said the effects of synthetic cannabis were the same, if not greater, than the effects of cannabis.
“Users need to seriously consider the risks to their health and safety,” she said.
Since The Happy Herb Shop opened up in Broome less than a fortnight ago, there has been a significant enquiry for the drug.
However, franchise owner Ray Thorpe said the store only sold herbal alternatives.
“The store is in the business of offering harmless alternatives to drugs,” he said.
Mr Thorpe said alternative herbs stocked by The Happy Herb Shop like “Aroma” were beneficial in helping users steer away from drugs, but he did not recommend Kronik.
“We won’t stock Kronik because it’s too strong and doesn’t satisfy as an addiction- interrupter,” he said.
Mr Thorpe, a former cannabis user, said a switch to an alternative herb helped him pack up a daily habit.
Mr Thorpe said Kronik was not addictive and should be legal but regulation of strength and consumer age was required. He worried a Kronik ban would apply to herbs.
