Councils would not be able to ban synthetic drugs, but could restrict where they may be sold, if the Government approved products in the future.
In Masterton, sales of approved products would be limited to an area of Queen St and Dixon St between Jackson St and Lincoln Rd.
In Carterton the approved area comprises the commercial zone along High St between Belvedere Rd and Pembroke St.
Under the draft policy, retailers must be at least 500 metres apart and cannot be within 100 metres of "sensitive sites", such as schools, children's playgrounds/recreational facilities, health/social services and high deprivation areas.
Both zones are less than 500m in size, so only one outlet could fit in either restricted area.
All potential retailers would have to apply for a licence from the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority then seek approval for the intended location of their premises from the relevant local authority.
Carterton Councillor Jill Greathead, chair of the Wairarapa psychoactive substances working group, said the policy must be in place just in case any psychoactive drug is ever proven to be safe. So far no applications for product approvals have been received by the Ministry of Health.
"Under the law as it stands, we are unable to ban the sale of these products completely and without putting a policy in place, legal high shops could be set up anywhere that is suitably zoned for retail activity."
"We have chosen areas within the main business area of each district where there is high foot and vehicle traffic and therefore greater visibility.
"These busy locations have a higher police presence and are also monitored by CCTV cameras, which will improve safety."
The draft LAPP is open for public consultation and copies are available from Masterton and Carterton District Council offices and libraries, and online at www.mstn.govt.nz.
Written submissions must be received by 4.30pm on Monday, June 15.
