Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson is starting a petition to bring synthetic cannabis sales licensing under local government control.

Concerned at the official licensing of outlets in Te Puke and Katikati, Ross wants district councillors to lobby the Government immediately after the election to make licensing a local decision.

Ross Paterson wants to bring decision-making on synthetic cannabis licensing to local government.

'I am seeking to understand the level of public support or opposition to my proposal to make such decisions a local prerogative, rather than it being left in central Government hands.

'I will place the petitions at various sites around the district, particularly in shops and dairies.”

Ross expects other local bodies with similar licensing concerns will be keen to join in his campaign if it gets the backing of the new Council and he is happy to take the issue all the way to the Beehive.

'Judging by the recent community protests and emails I've received, many people feel we are not well-served by the Psychoactive Substances Act, which allows approved shops to sell these products to people aged over 18 years. Rather than make the battle personal by targeting the shop owners, we can take the issue back to Wellington and put the decision-making in local hands.

'The petition is a viable way to seek guidance from our community as to the concerns they have about this issue. If there is widespread demand for action, we'll be in a strong position to ask Government to consider our proposal.”

The petition will give people two options relating to synthetic cannabis sales – they can support the status quo or join a group wanting the licensing decisions to be made by local councils, including the right to prohibit sales altogether.

'This way, we will know quickly if the community supports my move to bring the decision-making home.

'On the other hand, if support is for the current legislation then I will consider other ways of educating our young people about the dangers.”

Mayor Paterson's wife Robyn is Patron of the Life Education Trust in the Western Bay of Plenty, and is a life member of its national body, which works in local schools to educate children to make informed choices about their health and well-being.

'Through Robyn, I am aware of the damage such products can cause, and I'd like to know that we have done all we can to keep our children safe.

'I have already raised this issue with the Hon Todd McClay, Associate Health Minister and MP for Rotorua. He told me he has instructed the Ministry to provide every assistance to me.”

The location of shops supporting the petition will be listed as soon as possible on Mayor Paterson's website: www.rosspaterson.co.nz

'The final decision will be for the new Council, but I will be doing my best to get the stronger licensing power given over to local councils. Such decisions impact on local communities, and local councillors are in the best place to judge what is acceptable.”