Local retailers are still selling a synthetic high under the K2 name, with one minor change to the packaging.
New legislation banned two chemicals used in the product at midnight on Thursday, making it a criminal offence to possess, sell or supply it.
But a day later the same packaging was back in stock with a slight modification - a small sticker on the front which reads, "This product is fully compliant as of 9th of May, 2013".
Hawke's Bay Today was able to pick up a 2.5g bag from a store in Napier for the same price as before - $20 - and at no stage was ID requested by the store clerk.
No ingredients are listed on either the old or new packet, making it impossible to tell the difference, simply by looking at it.