Those wanting the sale of legal highs banned should blame central government for not consulting with their local counterparts, according to Palmerston North mayor Jono Naylor.
He announced to more than 150 concerned protesters outside Ucol last week, that the Palmerston North City Council was working on a Local Approved Products Policy (LAPP) to restrict where these substances can be sold.
Consultation was due to begin in February next year but, after hearing public concerns, he vowed to work with councillors to "try and bring it forward".
He said the Psychoactive Substances Act allowed local government to restrict where legal high outlets were located but could not eliminate the sale altogether.
"All we can do is, through consultation with our community, determine where they can be sold."