N.Z.-grown cannabis now more potent

Press, 13 March 1987, Page 4

N.Z.-grown cannabis now more potent

New Zealand-grown cannabis is increasing in potency, and so are the dangers to users, scientists believe.

Indications are that cannabis plants now have a much higher level of the psycho-active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol or T.H.C., than those grown 10 years ago.

The head of the D.S.I.R. drug and alcohol section

in Wellington, Dr Terry Manning, said yesterday that a study would be made to see what level of T.H.C. was present in seized cannabis. An Auckland scientist recently said that the T.H.C. level in “New Zealand Green” cannabis plants had increased significantly.

"Cannabis has increased in potency,” said Dr Keith Bedford, who heads the D.S.I.R. toxicology and illicit drugs unit in Auckland.

Ordinary cannabis plants had a T.H.C. level of between 0.3 per cent and 0.8 per cent. Some plants now showed a much higher level, ranging from 1.3 per cent to 4.4 per cent of T.H.C.

The head of the Auckland drug squad, Detective Inspector lan Hastings, has said he is convinced cannabis has more harmful effects that commonly thought.

Research had shown

that the drug affected the brain, reproductive organs, and immune system of users. “Cannabis carries with it all the most harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco,” he said. “Information about cannabis is not getting to the public and it should be.” In Canterbury, the police have seized almost 4000 cannabis plants and expect to have found almost 7000 before the growing season finishes, about the end of March. Dr Bedford said that the type of cannabis plant grown in New Zealand was a South-East Asian strain, developed for its psycho-active effects.

"The New Zealand climate is suited to grow- j ing cannabis,” said Dr ‘ Bedford, who has studied the plant for 11 years.

He said that he had seen a plant in Waikato which was 4m high and had branches “as thick as my arms.”

“A policeman told me that birds were flying round in its branches.”

The genetic strain in New Zealand was based on the “Buddha sticks” of cannabis imported in the early 19705, he said.

Growers had used the best plants as seedlings and used other techniques to improve the strain, and increase its potency.

Dr Manning said that* tests would be made on the T.H.C. level of cannabis seized in the lower North Island and top of the South Island.

The test was “fairly straightforward” and he expected that up to 30 batches a month of dried cannabis would be examined.

The D.S.I.R. in Wellington has also tested the T.H.C. level of cannabis resin, or hashish, since 1982.

Dr Manning said that some blocks of hashish had a T.H.C. level of 65 per cent.