A proposed ban on the sale of synthetic marijuana, also known as cannabinoids or “bath salts,” goes to a hearing Tuesday night before the Haverhill City Council. Mayor James J. Fiorentini said recently he proposed the ordinance after learning of “overdose” deaths in other cities.
“All throughout New England, there has been a growing problem with so-called ‘synthetic marijuana.’ While this has not yet become a problem in Haverhill, we shouldn’t wait until it is. The time to act is now, before there is an overdose in the city,” Fiorentini said.
The proposed law, placed on file two weeks ago, prohibits people or businesses from selling synthetic cannabinoids, often labeled as “herbal incense,” “potpourri,” “bath salts,” “jewelry cleaner,” “fake pot” or “smokable incense.” The draft ordinance requires a written warning, but no other penalties for the first offense and a fine of $300 or other criminal action for any subsequent offenses. Haverhill police will be charged with enforcement.
Also on the Haverhill City Council agenda, a hearing is expected to be held, after several postponements since last June, on the proposed acceptance of streets within a condominium development as public ways. Developer Magnum Partners, LLC is asking the council to give the status to Perspective Drive and Magnavista Drive. Magnum Manager John H. Pearson, Jr., former president of the failed Butler Bank, Lowell, and member Stephen J. Doherty last week asked for an extension until Tuesday’s council meeting in order to ensure all outstanding items required by the Haverhill Conservation Committee are completed.
The Haverhill City Council meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.
Synthetic marijuana IS NOT bath salts. Bath Sales mimic methamphetamine and other incredibly potent psychoactive drugs. To lump them together and then to pass laws on them is to make laws based on ignorance. The reason these drugs exist in the first place is from other laws passed based on ignorance. I wonder how many people will die from overdoses on illegal drugs before one person gets anxious because they are stoned and go to the hospital because they smoked too much fake pot only to feel foolish in an hour or so later and then go home and eat a bowl of ice cream. This is America, a land where we are free to make poor decisions if we want to. Not to mention the chemists are light years ahead of the laws Make drug A B and C illegal and overnight the rest of the alphabet will be available and it will only be the fault of the law makers. Get educated. The best thing to combat the drug problem is to ignore it.
Plenty of time to chase after a non-existent threat, but still no marijuana dispensaries in the entire Commonwealth. What is it now, almost two years since the voters approved the medical marijuana law?