Tauranga City Council may review the decision of former elected members not act on a clause under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013, allowing them to introduce a policy to regulate the sale of synthetic cannabis.

So far, 22 local authorities have local authority product plans [LAPPs] in various stages of development, with Napier's policy coming into effect late in 2013.

The Government is reviewing the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 to give councils more power in regulating sales of synthetic cannabis.

This has resulted in the declining of a retail licence under consideration by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority in the Napier area.

Tauranga City Council communications advisor Alison Clifford says council's former elected members chose not to act on the clause when they considered it last year. 'The Act is currently being reviewed and we expect it will be changed to give local councils more ability to determine the location of these premises [and therefore the number], and enforcement of this.

'It's likely that the new elected members will be looking at this issue again once the legislation has been reviewed. If they decide to set a policy or bylaw we will consult with the public.”

In September, campaigning mayoralty candidate Ross Paterson (who was elected Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor in October), and wife Robyn's petition gained 3000 signatures for his council to implement a local policy on psychoactive substances.

The petition came after the council's Strategy and Policy Committee saw Western Bay councillors unanimously agree to investigate the formation of a policy.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay says the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authoritywill be writing to all local government chief executives, reinforcing the role councils can play through development of LAPPs and offering assistance with the process.

The minister says all licences, including interim licences, are required to adhere to LAPPs.

'If communities have concerns about the operating of legal high retailers in their community, they should approach their local council.

'Parliament is determined councils have real authority to regulate where these products are sold in their regions – and the Psychoactive Substances Act gives them precisely that power.”

Further regulations are due for consultation in mid-February. For information, go to http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/psychoactive-substances