Dairies appear to be following new rules that now make it illegal to sell synthetic drugs - but the message hasn't reached all users.
The Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, preventing dairies, supermarkets, service stations and liquor stores from selling "legal highs" such as party pills and synthetic cannabis. Retailers continuing to trade in the substances will be liable for prosecution and penalties of up to $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a body corporate.
When the Herald hit the streets yesterday it found stores were responding well to the new rules with none of the 27 dairies visited in Auckland or Hamilton selling the products.
Asrar Khan, a Karangahape Rd dairy worker, told the Herald that eight people, including a group of middle aged men, had tried to buy synthetic cannabis products from him yesterday morning. Mr Khan said it had been "at least a month" since the dairy had returned all its legal high products to its supplier in preparation of this week's law change.
Other retailers said there had been unusually high demand for legal high products over the past few days.
The majority of retailers told the Herald that psychoactive brands of synthetic cannabis had been removed from shelves for at least a week and only one said they were unaware of the passing of the Psychoactive Substances Bill.
In Hamilton, one dairy owner, Mohammed Malkawi of the Petra Rd Dairy, said he had stopped selling synthetic cannabis at the midnight deadline on Wednesday. He said the changes in legislation had left him $2000 out of pocket. He planned to burn the remaining stock that he had left this weekend. "It is illegal so no I cannot sell it," he said.
Deputy Commissioner Mike Bush told the Herald police and health officers would be working with retailers over the next week to ensure they are aware of the new law. Mr Bush said dairies and store owners had been "proactive" in their response to the bill so far.
Associate Health Minister Todd McClay said the impact of legal high products on minors has been a particular concern.
He was "extremely pleased" with the new law.
"All over New Zealand communities have expressed their concern over the significant harm these products have caused," said Mr McClay.
- New Zealand Herald/additional reporting James Ihaka
