cannabisnews.com: Proposed Bill Prohibits Drug Paraphernalia Proposed Bill Prohibits Drug Paraphernalia Posted by FoM on March 10, 2000 at 20:11:37 PT By Christy B. Logan, The Daily Iowan, U. Iowa Source: U-WIRE As early as July 1, such common items as soda cans, pen tops and envelopes could become the target of the police if a Iowa House bill prohibiting possession or selling of "drug paraphernalia" becomes law. Passed by an overwhelming -- 87-8 -- vote in the Iowa House Wednesday, the measure would make violation of the law a simple misdemeanor punishable by fines ranging from $50 to $500 and 30 days in jail. The proposed bill, HR 2421, defines drug paraphernalia as any object used or designed for the manufacturing, processing or ingesting of controlled substances. "It's already enforced in a number of cities across the state through local ordinances," said Rep. Chuck Larson, R-Cedar Rapids. "It's been used very effectively as a tool in the war on drugs. If drugs are illegal in our state, then the items that are used to consume them should be illegal, also." If passed by the Senate, other "suspicious" items -- such as bongs, roach clips, metal bowls, balloons and miniature cocaine spoons -- could be, if collected, checked for residue and the presence of illicit drugs. The bill asserts that these items are sometimes used by drug offenders to practice illicit drug use. The Iowa Department of Public Safety said 629 people were arrested for drug possession 1994. In 1999, these types of arrests surpassed 1,700. Figures such as these are what prompted legislators to pass the bill. Andy Martin, an assistant manager of Third Coast Inc., 116 E. Washington St., said his store only sells tobacco products for legal use and cannot be responsible for customers' actions. "People are going to take generic tools and use them how they will," he said. "I don't see how you could say something is used for illegal purposes only." Opponents of the bill say that interpretation of its language is what concerns them most. Much of its understanding is left up to individual discretion and interpretation, which they fear could be used to the disadvantage of many citizens. Opponents also say that the bill could be a political move for the November elections. "I felt it was too-broadly written. I would have been supportive of traditional items," said Rep. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo. "It's too loosely construed, and I see a violation of personal rights." Under the law, amphetamine possession would also bring mandatory drug testing and a two-day jail sentence, while adults producing or dealing drugs to children would face 99 years in prison. "I thought it was an unnecessary piece of legislation," said Rep. Dick Myers, D-Coralville, who voted against the bill. "It is very vague and unconstitutional." The law will cause unnecessary problems for police because it is contrary to law, in which a person is innocent until proven guilty, Myers said. The bill, which is causing debate among legislators since the House passed it, will be sent to the Senate soon for consideration. (U-WIRE) Iowa City, Iowa Published: March 10, 2000 (C) 2000 The Daily Iowan via U-WIRE Copyright © 1995-2000 Excite Inc. Group of Iowa State U. Students Advocate Marijuana & Hemphttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4582.shtmlRelated Articles on Paraphernalia: http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/paraphernalia.shtmlhttp://www.google.com/search?q=cannabisnews+Paraphernalia+&num=10&sa=Google+Search Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by Subjunctor on June 22, 2000 at 07:46:29 PT Cameras in the hardware store They don't have to put cameras in hardware stores...the DEA already tracks "suspicious purchases" made via your credit and check cards, and can use this as grounds for a search warrant. Such "suspicious items" include growing lights, potting soil, fertilizer, rolling papers, plastic baggies, etc. Always use cash when buying such "paraphernalia." [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Joe Simonson on April 06, 2000 at 09:26:00 PT Paraphernalia The laws on paraphernalia are absolutely foolish, and any good lawyer would tear them to pieces because they are worded to poorly. The means of injesting drugs are too simple, which makes them impossible to classify. What classifies a heroin needle from a first aid needle? What makes it okay to sell a pipe for tobacco use that has the same design as one classified for paraphernalia? Why can't a person carry a "roach clip" when you can buy them in a hardware store? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on March 11, 2000 at 14:39:47 PT: Now they'll have to bring back the Susan B's I still hurt from laughing!Remember the Susan B. Anthony dollar coins? They didn't go over real well in the States. You know what they did with them? Sent them to the overseas bases. Now they'll have to confiscate all the paper money in the Iowa and give people Susan B's to keep them from becoming contaminated with coke residues. And I thought MD was a crazy State! Aw, Jeez! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Rainbow on March 11, 2000 at 11:08:26 PT: Illegal? KapI can even do another one. Seems these Iowaians have just made paper money illegal. I seem to remember that most paper money has residues of cocaine and cocaines users use paper money to get high.Cigrarette rolling papers are also illegal since they are used by smokers of MJ and tobacco.This just points to ill equiped and ignorant pols we elect in this USA. They even exist in the state governments, not just D.C.I can not wait untill someone is arrested and sent to jail for having a rolled up dollar bill.CheersRainbow [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by military officer guy on March 11, 2000 at 10:46:13 PT stuff like this makes me sick... laws like this are exactly what i don't want to see...if this passes, i'm not going to believe it...how stupid, we are policed enough, what are we doing to ourself guys/gals...we are slowly losing ever bit of freedom we have...our fore fathers would be sick...stuff like this has to stop...stand strong, we can win this war.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by legalizeit on March 11, 2000 at 08:12:01 PT hypocritical commie bastards It's time to kick out these booze-guzzling fascist idiots. Pretty soon anything one does or says will be linked to the "evil drug menace." I hope this bill is declared unconstitutional and goes down in flames. Imagine the police bursting in on your kid's birthday party and confiscating balloons because "the children could could be using them to take drugs"! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on March 11, 2000 at 08:05:16 PT: Necessity is the mother of invention I once made a very effective hookah out of a decanter bottle, a rubber stopper and plastic tubing from a hardware store, a candle holder from a craft shop for a bowl, and brass tubing from a hobby shop. Took me all of ten minutes to put together. So what will they do? Put cameras up at hardware stores (as the DEA has at certain grow shops in the past) to see who's buying plastic tubing? Make it a law that you have to sign your name and show ID when buying a rubber stopper? This is so lame, I have to laugh. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: