The Thames-Coromandel District Council has adopted its Psychoactive Product Retail Location Policy this week.

This policy restricts areas where retailers of approved psychoactive products - legal highs which have gone through a new testing process led by the Ministry of Health - can be sold in the district.

This week the Thames-Coromandel District Council adopted its Psychoactive Product Retail Location Policy. While the council cannot outright ban approved psychoactive products, it can limit where they are sold. Photo: File

A total of 29 submissions on the draft policy was received by council, with feedback calling for either tougher restrictions or a complete ban of the products in the Coromandel.

While they cannot ban the sale of psychoactive substances outright, the new policy restricts where they can and can't be sold.

Council explains: 'We can't enforce a ban on the products - this is a call that must be made by Central Government.”

'However, the policy enforces the restrictions which the community have told us they expect to see while still allowing some potential sale locations as required by legislation.

'This is a tricky balance. Feedback we've received through submissions, public meetings and on Facebook has been sent to Central Government so they are aware of what our community thinks.”

Currently there are no approved psychoactive products in the market and council does not expect any products that can be sold from a retail outlet until at least 2016.

But by having a policy to restrict locations of sales ensures if any are approved council won't be 'caught on the hop”.

Under the policy approved psychoactive products will only be able to be sold from licensed retailers located in the commercial area of the town centres of Whitianga, Whangamata and Thames called the ‘pedestrian core zone'.

Retailers must also be at least 50 meters away from Education facilities, schools, early childhood centres, kohanga reo, kindergartens and youth facilities

This 50 metre rule also applies to council administered playgrounds and swimming pools, skate parks, libraries, community halls, sports fields, medical centres and community health providers, social welfare and support centres, plus places of worship.

The policy also states that licensed retailers must be at least 300 meters away from any other existing licensed retailers.

Council adds: 'From here, the Ministry of Health's new Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority will be running the process of approving products and licensing retailers.”

To view the policy visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/psychoactiveproducts

For more information about psychoactive substances and products visit the Ministry of Health's website at: psychoactives.health.govt.nz or call 0800-789-652.