The council policy will restrict the sale of psychoactive substances in the city by confining retailers to the central business district but not in Victoria Ave and not within 50 metres of sensitive sites (such as schools) as well as keeping a lid on the time these substances will be allowed to be sold.
Judy Kumeroa, representing Te Ora Hou Whanganui and Stone Soup Community, said her group held the view that legal highs should be banned outright.
"We're thinking of our vulnerable people. We're hugely concerned with the mixed messages about legal highs and fearful of its effects on people," Ms Kumeroa said.
Another woman spoke of her 40-year-old daughter who took a legal high and started to experience psychosis.
"She left her husband and, a year later, had her two children taken off her," the mother said.
Her daughter had been diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis.
"She is abusive, cruel, bitter and unremorseful. My beautiful girl ... so sad."
Sarah Hawken, a health promoter with the Whanganui District Health Board, said the long-term health risks of legal highs were relatively unknown but anecdotal evidence showed physical, emotional and social harm.
Julie Herewini, operations manager for Nga Tai o Te Awa, told the hearing the sole purpose of those making and selling legal highs was to make money.
Ms Herewini said the country had committed to being smokefree by 2025 so it made no sense to allow the introduction or offer support in any way to an industry "that brings a whole new class of addictive smoking to the market".
The hearing continues today before the committee deliberates on the submissions. It has been delegated powers to endorse the policy.
