Pubdate: Wed, 27 Feb 2013
Source: Mississauga News (CN ON)
Copyright: The Mississauga News 2013
Contact:  http://www.mississauga.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/268
Page: Front Page

POLICE LAUNCH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA

HALTON - Halton is among a growing number of police services in 
Ontario launching education campaigns against synthetic marijuana 
being falsely sold in stores as "legal."

The move comes after police began receiving calls in January about a 
product being sold under the brand name IZMS.

It's marketed as safe and legal. But all brands of synthetic 
marijuana, which is smoked, are illegal according to Health Canada and police.

Halton police will be checking stores to see where the product is 
sold and will focus on educating business owners and the public about 
the fact that it is illegal.

IZMS came to public attention in Hamilton last month after a robber 
held up the Love Shop at 260 Main St. E. on Jan. 19, demanding all 
its supply of IZMS. A subsequent Hamilton Spectator investigation 
easily found the product on sale at convenience stores where 
retailers falsely believed the product was legal.

Hamilton police have a designated investigator from the vice and drug 
unit looking into the problem. However, that investigator was not 
available Tuesday and no one else was able to comment.

Synthetic marijuana use carries all of the same health risks as 
marijuana, said Dr. Ninh Tran, an associate medical officer of health 
at the city's public health department. This includes possible side 
effects of paranoia, or psychosis, addiction or dependence and the 
physical health effects on a person's lungs from the smoke.

He said public health is working with its community partners, 
including Hamilton police, to update its drug education material to 
include synthetic marijuana.

What isn't known is how widespread the use of synthetic marijuana is 
in Hamilton, Tran said. Public health officials hope to have a better 
grasp on use after synthetic marijuana is included in the health 
questionnaire distributed to high school students across Ontario in 
the upcoming school year.

Among the other police services launching educational campaigns are 
Niagara and Windsor.

Halton police ask that any citizen who notices synthetic marijuana on 
sale at a business notify the integrated drug, gun and gang unit at 
905-825-4747 ext. 8732 or  ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom