Outspoken opponent of legal highs Philippa Baker-Hogan has withdrawn from council deliberations around the drugs, fearing a legal challenge from the psychoactive substances industry.
Ms Baker-Hogan chairs Wanganui District Council's strategy and policy committee which meets tomorrow for three days of public submissions on the Psychoactive Substances (legal high), Local Approved Products Policy.
This policy will decide where legal highs can be sold, between what hours, and other aspects governing their sale.
However, Ms Baker-Hogan has called for a complete ban on the drugs and has been prominent in opposing their sale over the past year.
Yesterday, she said legal advice had prompted her to declare a conflict of interest and withdraw from the committee while the submissions are heard.