Editorial: Ban legal highs from our town

Come next week, the rules around buying synthetic cannabis are likely to be much tougher.

The Psychoactive Substances Bill will have its third and final reading on Thursday and when it comes into force a week later it will be illegal to sell synthetic products in dairies and non-specialist shops.

Our local MP Todd McClay, who is the new Associate Health Minister, has taken over responsibility for the Bill and has trumpeted the importance of taking the issue seriously.

The Bill places strict prohibitions on the sale to under 18-year-olds and businesses will have to apply for a licence to sell the stuff. Plus, manufacturers will have to prove their products do not have harmful effects, Mr McClay said "These drugs are causing considerable concern to parents and increasing levels of harm to those who take them". Damn straight.

The Bill sounds well and good but it doesn't go far enough.

Sure, it won't be available in the likes of dairies anymore but addicts will still be able to pop down to a licensed store and buy it.

What really needs to happen if we are to really make a change is do what Putaruru has done this week.

As of yesterday, the Waikato town is legal high-free.

The community has taken a stand and no outlet will be selling the legal drugs.

More than a decade ago in Rotorua, local chemists took similar action after a spate of aggravated robberies and burglaries by those linked to P cooks who wanted to get their hands on pseudoephedrine products. The result was banning the products completely.

It was worth it for our community. It would be nice to see Rotorua convince its local legal high stockists they can make money other ways.