Hawke's Bay psychiatric and addiction services are being urged to prepare for an influx of people dealing with intense synthetic cannabis withdrawals.
Experts have warned stockpiling, fire sales and an added burden on health services may occur when all synthetic cannabis products are withdrawn from sale within a fortnight.
In a Government policy reversal, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said on Sunday all legal high products would be banned until they could be proven "low-risk", with a law change to be introduced under urgency to Parliament next week.
Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers, a staunch leader against legal highs, was pleased about the ban but said "it has taken too long".
"Common sense has prevailed ... Clearly Labour were going to announce their policy on the issue and it put some pressure on the Government, but I think the pressure from local leaders and communities, the power of the people. That really was so strong the Government couldn't possibly ignore us."