Council, 27 November 2014, updated 6 April 2017, reconsidered 7 April 2022.

Psychoactive Products Retail Locations Policy [PDF, 741 KB] 

Policy statement

The Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 regulates the availability of psychoactive substances in New Zealand to protect the health of, and minimise harm to, individuals who use psychoactive substances.

The Council adopted the policy on 27 November 2014 and was updated on 6 April 2017.  The policy came into force on 2 February 2015.

The Psychoactive Substances Regulations 2014 (the Regulations) allow applications for licenses to sell approved products by retail and wholesale to be made to the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority(external link) taking regard of the Council's policy.

Principles

This policy is guided by the following principles:

  • Protect the health of, and minimise harm to, individuals who use psychoactive products.
  • Minimise the exposure and potential for harm to vulnerable groups within the community.
  • Ensure the Council and community have influence over the location of retailers of approved products in its region.

Criteria

The policy permits approved psychoactive products retailers to locate within the central city area (Permitted Area Map [PDF, 958 KB]) provided the proposed location meets the following two conditions:

  • Retail premises from which approved products may be sold are not permitted within 100 metres of a sensitive site.
  • Retail premises from which approved products may be sold are not permitted within 50 metres of another psychoactive product retail premise.

Possible retail locations.

Sensitive sites

The policy identifies the following sensitive sites - kindergartens, early childhood centres, schools, tertiary education institutions, playgrounds, parks and reserves and mental health treatment and support facilities.

A further six specific sensitive sites are identified as:

  • The Open Space Avon River Precinct.
  • The Bus Interchange and Bus Super Stops.
  • The Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.
  • The Health Precinct.
  • The Washington Way Skate Park.
  • The Margaret Mahy Family Playground.

The Hearings Panel report [PDF, 120 KB].