Matt Bowden announced today that neither he nor his company would be involved in the import and manufacture of synthetic cannabinoid products in the future.

“The Government’s decision to ban synthetic cannabinoids will send the legal high industry to a place I don’t want to go,” said Mr Bowden.

Mr Bowden said that while the synthetic cannabinoids his company had imported were safe and had never caused a single reported fatality, consumers would be much safer if they had been properly regulated as restricted substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

“The Government has said it will now play regulatory cat and mouse with these products. That means fly-by-night products with short production runs, low safety standards and still no regulations. I don’t want any part of that. I was looking forward to heading in the opposite direction towards product screening, routine safety tests and restricted outlets,” said Mr Bowden.

Mr Bowden said that it was disappointing that the Government had passed up the chance to regulate synthetic cannabinoids when it had the chance.

“The Government received a recommendation from the EACD last year to make synthetic cannabinoids a restricted substance, which would have placed a range of restrictions on how those products were sold, such as limiting their sale to over-18s and controlling where they can be sold and how they are advertised. The Government should have acted faster to control the sale of synthetic cannabinoids.”

Mr Bowden welcomed the confirmation from the Prime Minister Hon John Key and Associate Health Minister Hon Peter Dunne that the Government would be working to implement the Law Commission’s recommendations on regulating new psychoactives.

“I may continue with non-alcoholic alternatives when the Government gets the regulation for new drugs right. Until then, I am going to work on lobbying worldwide for safer drug policies, finishing my epic rock album, working with new artists, getting my live show out. The papers have said that I do put on the best parties in the country at my rock concerts, so I will continue doing just that: cross-pollinating theatre, rock, circus, opera and dance parties into a really good night out.”

in response to:

http://beehive.govt.nz/release/dunne-first-drug-notice-issued-take-out-all-synthetic-cannabis

and
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1108/S00161/drug-notice-issued-to-take-out-all-synthetic-cannabis.htm

Stargate Operations Limited was not aware that the mixture of compounds used to produce Pineapple Express contained phenazepam, and would not have imported the compounds if it had known that they contained phenazepam. It is not clear at this stage how the contamination occurred.

Stargate is currently making inquiries to determine the source of the contamination, and to ensure that a reoccurrence is prevented in the future.

The chemicals used to produce Kronic are normally subjected to chemical testing at the New Zealand border by the New Zealand Customs Service. Stargate has written to the Customs Service requesting confirmation that none of the Kronic materials currently held by the Customs Service for testing have been contaminated.

Stargate Operations Limited is currently making arrangement to have all other brands of Kronic tested for contamination, at Stargate’s expense. Any other brands of Kronic found to be contaminated will be recalled and destroyed immediately.

Stargate is also in the process of establishing its own internal chemical testing processes, so that imported compounds are tested for purity before they are used for product manufacture.

Law Commission’s Drug Report a Big Step Forward

Matt Bowden, co-founder of Stargate International, today congratulated the Law Commission on the release of its report on its review of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, and hopes that the Government will adopt many of the Commission’s recommendations.

“The Law Commission has produced a comprehensive report, of which the Commissioners should be very proud. The Law Commission’s report is a big step forward in terms of evidence-based drug policy.”

Mr Bowden praised the sensitivity and sophistication with which the Law Commission considered the question of how new substances are to be regulated, rather than taking a simplistic “ban them all” approach.

“The fact is that there are many New Zealanders who prefer to enjoy themselves with the assistance of psychoactive substances other than alcohol. We have always recognised that most New Zealanders can consume alcohol responsibly – it is past time that we recognise that those New Zealanders for whom alcohol is not an option can use other psychoactives equally responsibly.”

Mr Bowden was delighted with the Law Commission’s recommendations to ensure that new psychoactives are not sold unless there is evidence that they are safe.

“The current regime means that the market is flooded with untested and potentially unsafe products. Consumers often have no way to find out what they are taking. Requiring the manufacturers of psychoactives to show that their products can be safely used is a vital step in minimising the harm caused by drug abuse. Stargate recommended that the same toxicity testing used for testing new pharmaceutical medicines be used and the Law Commission have adopted this suggestion as the best way forward.

I am also supportive of the proposed restrictions on the sale of approved psychoactives. Like alcohol, psychoactives should not be sold to under-18s and there should be restrictions on their advertising. These restrictions are common-sense and well overdue.”

Finally, Mr Bowden supported the Law Commission’s proposed reforms to the law of supply of controlled substances, to replace the offence of possession for supply with one of aggravated possession.  This is an issue which Mr Bowden has explored in his first rock video “Higher” which can be viewed along with the Stargate submission referenced by the Law Commission at www.mattbowden.com.

ENDS

For further comment, contact…

Matt Bowden

Tel +64 21 77 23 23

Download the press release here

As part of the review process the Law Commission asked for submissions from the public.

You can download my submission to the Law Commission here, and while you are reading that you should check out this video for ‘Higher’ that talks about the same issues.

The “Higher” video from Starboy directed by Starboy & Ivan Slavov & Max Volt. Produced by Ivan Slavov & Max Volt. Featuring Jermaine Leef (JGeek) & Wesley Dowdell.

for more videos, behind the scenes footage and live recordings sign up to our youtube channel here

Plenty of musos take inspiration from mind-altering substances, but songwriter/guitarist Matt Bowden lived them for several years. When dealing with these substances, come hell, and high water (and often both at the same time) Matt succeeded in staying on the right side of the law.

Matt’s learned a thing or two about the law, and the science of drugs, enough to be a tireless, and informed campaigner for law reform. There’s a serious side to the campaign in that Matt believes the current laws are discriminatory, and an affront to human rights, but ultimately, the fight is about people’s right to have a good time.

In keeping with Matt’s life long mission to provide a good time, he is preparing to drop his new EP: Induction, -a recorded slab of psychedelic rock goodness. Think Pink Floyd meets Nine Inch Nails, only groovier. The effects in Induction are designed to take the listener to a higher plane of existence. -A journey,which is necessary preparation for the experimentation of Matt’s later planned projects.

Click BUY NOW at top of page to get one!