The new psyhoactive substances bill which legalizes and regulates synthetic cannabinoids in New Zealand, but bans all psychoactive substances unless lisenced has resulted in the first seizure of imported calea zacatechichi seeds as a psychoactive substance under the bill by NZ customs. Note Calea is a basic import with MAF.
How a non-psychoactive seed thats needs to be planted, cultivated, harvested, dried, processed to then possibly have a mild psychoactive effect can be classified as a psychoactive substance makes no sence.
If this is logic correct, then all plants are now illegal as all plants are psychoactive substances. This bill also technically bans yoga and meditation equipment as devices capable of inducing a psychoactive effect.
Herbal remedies are exempt from the bill. Calea is also employed by the Chontal people as a herbal remedy against gastrointestinal disorders, and is used as an appetizer, cathartic, anti-dysentery remedy, and as a fever-reducing agent.
At this stage it appears the difference between herbal remedy and psychoactive substance is decided by the race of the people who traditionally used the remedy. Apparently Mexican medicine is not accepted as part of the recognized pharmocopedia. That is racism and in my opinion a breach of human rights..