K2

A Dunedin mother wept in the Octagon yesterday while signing a petition for an immediate ban of synthetic cannabis.

The campaign by a Mosgiel mother for the immediate banning of synthetic cannabis comes to Dunedin today.

The synthetic cannabis product K2 will be banned from next week, with other legal highs set to stubbed out when tough new legislation is introduced within months.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is urging a boycott of businesses selling synthetic cannabis, such as K2, calling their actions ''gross social irresponsibility''.

The news some Dunedin dairy owners selling synthetic cannabis have armed themselves in response to robberies involving the products is another disturbing element in the already concerning area of ''legal highs''.

The synthetic cannabis a Mosgiel man ''ticked up'' and smoked made him a ''monster'', says his mother, who is campaigning for its immediate ban.

Synthetic cannabis product K2 remains for sale in Dunedin, despite a temporary ban on one of its ingredients, which took effect yesterday.

The dangers of synthetic cannabis products legally available over the counter have been highlighted this week, after an Oamaru teenager had to be escorted home by police after he walked into a stranger's house.