Pubdate: Mon, 26 Nov 2012
Source: Record-Journal (CT)
Copyright: 2012 The Record-Journal Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.myrecordjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4705
Author: Andrew Ragali

POLICE LOOK TO BAN SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA, BATH SALTS IN SOUTHINGTON

SOUTHINGTON -- Police have proposed adding synthetic marijuana to a 
list of products that can't be sold or possessed under local ordinance.

An updated list of "objectionable products" was presented to the Town 
Council Monday night by Town Attorney Mark Sciota, who focused on 
synthetic marijuana. The product is often sold in convenience stores 
and gas stations.

The list is compiled and overseen by the police department, but the 
council receives reports when the new version is compiled.

"The biggest change you will see has popped up in the last year," 
Sciota said. "(Synthetic marijuana) is becoming a dangerous thing in 
Southington and throughout the state."

Police describe synthetic marijuana as "spice," which refers to "a 
collection of herbs or plant material which has been sprayed with 
synthetic cannabinoids, often referred to as synthetic cannabinoids, 
producing cannabis-like effect when smoked."

Sciota called synthetic marijuana "something we need to tackle immediately."

Another product added to the list is synthetic cathinones, referred 
to as "bath salts" by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Police 
describe the stimulant as having "effects similar to those of 
cocaine, amphetamine or MDMA (ecstasy)."

Town Councilor Chris Palmieri said he approved of the new list. His 
worry was that new, dangerous products are always coming out of nowhere.

"I think it will be beneficial moving forward working with the police 
department," he said.

Sciota explained the list must still be passed by the Board of Police 
Commissioners before it becomes local ordinance.

If the list is passed by the police commission, the ordinance states 
that "the chief of police or his designee" will enforce items on the 
list. Police are authorized to take any and all actions "reasonable 
and necessary to enforce this section, including, but not limited to, 
inspecting any vendors or sale premises to verify compliance," 
according to the ordinance.

According to section 1-11 of the town's Code of Ordinances, "the 
violation of such ordinance, rule or regulation shall be punished by 
a fine not exceeding $90."

Sciota said the list of objectionable items is "fluid," and police 
can take things on and off as necessary.

"It's brand new for us," Sciota said of regulating synthetic 
products. "It's something that hopefully will disappear, but of 
course something new will always pop up."

[sidebar]

Draft of the objectionable items ordinance submitted by Southington 
Police Department:

No person, firm of corporation shall use, possess, offer for sale or 
sell products known as, but not limited to: silly string, smoke bag, 
instant smoke, stink bomb, cap bombs.

Nor any product that results in the following: disfiguring, 
littering, desecrating of public and private property, indiscriminate 
use causing alarm to residents, threat to domestic animals and 
wildlife ingesting plastic and foam, creation of unnecessary refuse 
or release of potentially environmentally harmful substance or 
substances into the atmosphere.

Further prohibited from possessing, offer to sale or sell:sythetitc 
cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom