Pubdate: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY) Copyright: 2003 Watertown Daily Times Contact: http://www.wdt.net Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/792 Author: Corey Fram, Times Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?228 (Paraphernalia) THREE STORES GET 'WARNINGS' ON SMOKING GEAR POTSDAM - A U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency officer and members of the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force paid what was described as an "educational" visit Friday to three village stores. Officers visited Happy Daze, 8 Elm St., and The Wild Rose, 47 Market St., to tell owners they could not sell smoking accessories. The stores sell items such as hand-blown glass pipes and have signs saying they are for tobacco use only. There were no arrest and nothing was seized. The stores were open Monday but did not have any smoking accessories for sale. " They told me I couldn't be selling those things -- pretty much I would be arrested if I didn't abide by the law," said Jayne E. Davis, Wild Rose owner. Sheriff Gary J. Jarvis said two of his officers assisted the DEA with the "warnings," but he did not provide any more information. Sheriff Jarvis said he did not know how many stores were visited and referred all questions to the DEA. Calls to DEA and assistant U.S. attorney's office in Albany were not returned Monday. Village police did not go with the officers bur knew they were visiting the stores. " What was happening was they went to three stores about selling paraphernalia which could be used to use drugs. It's a federal statute. It's actually illegal. There may be an exception for a tobacconist," said village Police Chief John A. Kaplen. Mr. Kaplan said he did not know the name of the third store. Ms. Davis has owned Wild Rose for seven years, and for five of those years she sold glass pipes, she said. The store also sells clothing, jewelry and figurines. She wanted to know why her store was one of those singled out when many others sell smoking accessories. " If we thought it was anything illegal, we wouldn't do it. I just want to know what the facts are. They need to make it clear," Ms. avis said. Neither Sheriff Jarvis or Chief Kaplan would comment on why there were no arrest, saying it was a federal issue. "It's paraphernalia in general. But it's ' What constitutes paraphernalia?' It's "What do you use it for?' Here it's for tobacco use," said Chris P. Perme, one of four Potsdam State University Collage students who went to Happy Daze Monday to sign a petition supporting the store owners. Lyle Furnace, owner of Happy Daze, would not comment. His store also sells tapestries and incense. " I feel bad for him. It's his only source of income," said Allen P. Baker, another Potsdam Collage student. Chief Kaplan said the stops were to inform the owners that some of their products were not legal. " It was a mission to provide information to these particular store owners," He said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin