A Whangarei group rallying for the total ban of legal highs is ramping up its campaign, as well as offering support for those affected by its use.
The latest in a string of nationwide protests outside shops selling synthetic cannabis was held in Whangarei on Saturday, with organisers looking to protest in Dargaville next month.
Organiser Darcel Bolton said around 20 people converged outside the Brew Store in Vine St - one of three firms in Whangarei with interim licences to sell legal highs - between 1pm and 2pm on Saturday. "It was a protest to keep momentum, keep in the public eye and get signatures for the national petition [to ban all legal highs]," she said.
"We got over 200 signatures - a really good response. We also got a good response from neighbouring businesses too."
Group members are meeting with Kaipara District Council commissioners today in the hope of getting a policy drafted for Dargaville that is in line with that of Whangarei's, she said. A protest outside the Dargaville legal high retailer is planned for May 10. "We figure once they stop selling here [in Whangarei], they're [the retailers] are going to move elsewhere. We want a ban New Zealand wide, not just Whangarei."