Shops selling dangerous synthetic cannabis as ‘herbal incense’, drug experts says it worse than the real thing

SHOPS are able to use a legal loophole which allows them to continue to sell synthetic substances to customers as a drug expert says the fake stuff is “much more” dangerous than the real stuff.

Purple Haze Herbal Incense. Picture: Jerad Williams

A LEADING drug expert has warned synthetic cannabis has the potential to be “much more” dangerous than the real thing.

Retail stores such as Off Ya Tree continue to sell synthetic herbs, labelled as “herbal incense”, at an over-the-counter price of $60 for 3g.

The herbal incense has a grassy texture. Picture: Jerad Williams

Despite the fact that the product is available over the counter, Bond University Associate Professor of Pharmacology, in the faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Dr Treasure McGuire said synthetic blends could be “much more” dangerous and even cause death.

“Their potency can be 30 times more and that’s why people die,” she said.

“It doesn’t really matter whether something is legal or not, it still has the potential to be harmful.

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“It’s not whether it’s over the counter or not, it’s the inherent toxicity of the compound.

“We have a regulatory system in Australia for a reason, to navigate around those problems. “And if you circumvent those systems then buyer beware.”

A handy “Scent-o-Meter” for anyone not sure how strong they want to go.

Manufactured and packaged as “herbal incense”, at Off Ya Tree Surfers Paradise and Mermaid Beach, the small packages are kept concealed behind the counter.

First time buyers are presented with a “Scent-o-Meter” that rates the incense from least to most potent.

Staff request ID to ensure buyers are over 18.

At Off Ya Tree Surfers Paradise, a staff member insisted the product was not for smoking — only to be burned in an incense burner.

Bongs sold as “drink pourers” complete with a shot glass.

She said if she suspected anyone planned to smoke the product, she would not sell it to them.

Both stores are filled with other paraphernalia, including shelves of peace pipes, bongs packaged as “drink pourers” — complete with shot glass — grinders, cleaning materials including pipe cleaners, resin removers and scales.

Herbal incense packaging does not display a breakdown of ingredients, and questions regarding this went unanswered.

Shelves of pipes and drug paraphernalia

One packet features the description, “Ever heard of Woodstock? We’ll take you there with Purple Haze’s aroma and help you unleash your psychedelic tendencies”.

Packaging also features the message “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”.

The “Herbal Incense” website features three shopping categories: smoking accessories, herbal incense and stick incense.

Grinders, empty vials, scales and marijuana leave emblazoned items for sale.

When asked why regular incense was sold on the shelves and the “herbal incense” was sold behind the counter, with ID required, a worker said it was because it was an “adult scent”.

She then refused to further comment and directed all questions to head office.

Local man Brad (last name withheld) smoked “herbal incense” purchased from a Surfers Paradise tobacconist a few years ago and knows the dangers all too well.

He had a range of experiences with the substance, however more than once he says he was taken to a place of “psychosis”, where he sat completely paralysed, unable to move or speak but still with an active mind.

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The back of the incense packaging. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I don’t know how else to explain it other than psychosis,” he said.

“Some drugs give you a mild psychosis but this was more of a complete schizophrenic episode.

“It is like a temporary paralysis.

“I was just thinking ‘I need help’ and I guess I was scared I wasn’t going to ever be out of that position, but it’s really amplified.”

Off Ya Tree’s parent company Thendro and the herbal incense manufacturer did not respond to questions by deadline.