Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne last month announced a temporary class drug notice had been issued in respect of two substances found in tested samples of K2.
That effectively means that from today, those importing, manufacturing, selling or supplying the substances could face a maximum penalty of eight years' imprisonment.
Police had been told K2 manufacturers had discounted sales of the product to dairies to as little as $6 a pack in an effort to ''offload excess product on to the market before the ban'', Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan, of Dunedin, said.
Shops were selling the product for as little as $10, he said. K2 usually retailed for $20 to $22.
''Manufacturers have chosen not to take the product and destroy it but have chosen to offload it on the market at a discounted price. This comes after they have been clearly informed that the product is to be banned due to the dangerous nature of its contents.''
The Otago Daily Times understands one South Dunedin retailer has featured its own discounted stand of the product.
Emeritus Prof John W. Huffman, of South Carolina, who developed synthetic cannabinoid compounds, earlier this week said the products were ''not meant for human consumption''.
