The first of a series of public meetings about the sale of products containing psychoactive substances on the Coromandel will be held at the Whitianga Town Hall tomorrow night.

Indications are the government will start processing licences that allows approved psychoactive substances to be sold by retailers throughout New Zealand from May this year.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council has recently drafted a new policy restricting locations where psychoactive products can be sold. Photo: File

This series of public meetings is to help locals educate locals about the policy and offer members of the community the chance to speak one-on-one with council staff to be better informed.

Psychoactive substances are some of the ingredients used in different drugs that affect the mind, such as: party pills, herbal and legal highs, synthetic cannabis and legal recreational drugs.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council says it is unable to ban the sale of these substances but can regulate where they are sold under the Psychoactive Products Retail Location Policy.

Council says it has drafted a policy which it hopes may solve the problem.

'The policy ensures that the Ministry of Health's Licensing Authority has the best possible information on the appropriate location of retail premises when issuing licences.

'It is important to note that our council will not be issuing those licenses, but rather, the Ministry of Health's Licensing Authority will be doing that.”

Council says its proposed policy restricts these retailers to certain areas within main towns and makes sure they are not close to places like schools, churches and community facilities.

This policy will also restrict the sale from premises that are close to others with a licence to sell psychoactive products.

'Our job is to make sure that the Licensing Authority has the best possible information on the location of retail premises when issuing licences, so let us know if you think we've done this when you submit.”

But council cannot include anything in the policy around which products are approved for sale, how retailers operate once they have been issued or through the issuing of the licences themselves.

This is provided for in legislation and is a function that the New Zealand Police and the Licensing Authority will perform.

Council says: 'For example, the sale of approved psychoactive products from certain types of premises such as dairies, convenience stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, service stations, premises where alcohol is sold or supplied, temporary structures such as tents and marquees, and vehicles or conveyances are prohibited.

'There are also strict rules around advertising and marketing.”

An earlier of version of this story has run with details saying the meeting was on tonight. This is incorrect, the public talk is tomorrow night -Tuesday, February 17. We apologise for any confusion that may have been caused.

To learn more about the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority visit: www.psychoactives.health.govt.nz

Public meetings are being held:

• Whitianga: Town Hall, Tuesday, February 17 from 5:30pm
• Whangamata: Town Hall, Thursday, February 19, from 5:30pm
• Thames: Thames High School, Monday, February 23, from 5:30pm

To read the Thames Coromandel District Council's proposed policy and to make a submission click here.

Submissions close Monday, March 9, at 4pm.

What are your thoughts on legal highs being available for sale in Coromandel? Post your comments below.