Whangarei police believe some retailers are continuing to sell synthetic cannabis products - despite a ban coming into force earlier this month - and are planning a crackdown to find those breaking the law.
Whangarei/Kaipara police area controller Inspector Tracy Phillips told Whangarei District Councillors yesterday that she had received tip offs that some retailers in Whangarei were continuing to sell synthetic cannabis products in defiance of the ban.
The Psychoactive Substances Bill which came into force on July 15, was supposed to lead to all legal highs removed from dairies and non-specialist shops, and ban the sale to, and possession and consumption by, people under 18. Non-approved products must be removed from the market and all non-licensed businesses must cease trading in psychoactive products. The law also forces manufacturers to prove their products are safe, and list all ingredients on the label and gives councils new powers to restrict sales in their communities.
So far no new legal highs have been approved for sale and Ms Phillips said anybody selling synthetic cannabis products would be breaking the law and police would be conducting covert operations to catch those who were.
She said the law was introduced because of health and safety concerns over the so-called synthetic cannabis products, or legal highs as they were also known, and the potential harm to the public.