Editorial: Dairy boycott worthy stand

I applaud the Matua residents who have chosen to boycott their local dairy as long as it continues to sell herbal highs.

This week we reported that residents in the Tauranga suburb have also appealed for a petition against the sale of synthetic cannabis at Matua Dairy.

Resident Peter Tinholt, who is boycotting the dairy, says retailers have a social and moral obligation to their communities.

Matua Dairy assistant manager Raj Singh says the dairy is in a no-win situation. They started stocking synthetic cannabis to meet demand.

Mr Singh says he was not forcing people to smoke it, which is true, but he runs the risk of losing long-term loyal customers.

In the long run they will no doubt be better for his business than the few who want to buy synthetic cannabis.

His stance also ignores police reports that these substances are becoming a factor in a number of crimes, including violent offending and reports that these drugs are making people ill.

Bay health professionals have reported young people experiencing psychotic episodes after using the drugs.

In one case, a boy who was smoking K2 ended up in hospital overnight after he was found in a ditch trying to eat dirt.

The boycott follows a protest by Manurewa residents this month outside a High Zone store to protest the sale of drugs in the community.

The Associate Health Minister's new regime for party pills and fake cannabis will require makers to prove their products are "low risk" before they can be put on the market.

Until the new legislation is introduced, consumers concerned about legal highs can follow the lead of Matua residents and boycott outlets stocking these products.