Thursday, December 13, 2012
Store owners can be fined up to $500 per item for failing to follow a new county law.
Vickie Davis was at Georgia’s Smoke Shop in Port Richey on Wednesday when Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies came to visit the store with a warning. Deputies are readying to start enforcing a recently passed county ordinance that aims to fight synthetic drug use and penalizes shopkeepers that sell synthetic drug products. Davis, who says she’s the owner of the shop, was given a letter Wednesday telling her this and explaining the ordinance. Lt. Chuck Balderstone, who leads the agency’s vice and narcotics unit, says Georgia’s is a shop that visibly displays synthetic marijuana for sale. Sgt. William Davis told the shop owner and a shop full of journalists that she had completed sales to minors. “Take that ordinance seriously,” he said. Law …
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Deputies will begin enforcing the new law after store owners receive a letter explaining the ordinance.
In another attempt to curb the use of products marketed as synthetic marijuana or fake cocaine, a new Pasco County ordinance makes it illegal to sell, possess or distribute any of the products described in the law. The products are often sold in convenience stores, tobacco stores and head shops. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office won’t begin enforcing the ordinance passed Nov. 7 until after a letter goes to store owners telling them of the new regulation. There is no timetable for when that letter will go out, sheriff’s office spokesman Kevin Doll said in an email. The law would apply to all retailers in the county, including those inside cities. The ordinance is intended as another effort to stop the sale of the synthetic marijuana, …
Monday, July 30, 2012
In its battle against the manufacture and sale of designer drugs, the Pasco Sheriff's Office wants parents and caregivers to be on the lookout.
The sheriff's office has declared war on the manufacture and sale of synthetic drugs in Pasco County, one with multiple fronts. At a press conference to discuss the results of a recent countywide raid, Sheriff Chris Nocco said going after the people who make the products is "chopping off the head of the snake." But it's a snake with many parts, he said. The raid turned up about 440 pounds of raw materials and 100,000 packages of finished product, according to the sherriff's office. Getting that much product off the market is a start, but the battle is far from over. "I promise you there is still more to come," Nocco said. And to anyone who is selling synthetic drug products, "you are part of a conspiracy," Nocco said. "If you're in this …
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Store owners or managers must sign a document stating that the products will never be sold at the location.
Think just because you can buy it legally at a convenience store, it's harmless? The sheriff's office wants you to think again. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office unveiled a new program Friday to inform citizens about synthetic drug-free stores to help reduce the sales of these products in the community. Sheriff Chris Nocco was joined by a group of community leaders at the Suncoast Mobile Gas Station, 16055 State Road 52 in Land O' Lakes, to introduce the new sticker program designed to alert customers to stores that do not sell synthetic drugs, which are comprised of a cocktail of toxic chemicals. “This is the new wave of drugs,” Nocco said. “We are dealing with a very dangerous drug out there.” Despite a state bill passed that banned …
Sheriff Chris Nocco would like to see every convenience store in Pasco pledge not to sell the products.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office unveiled a new program Friday to inform citizens about synthetic drug-free stores to help reduce the sales of these products in the community. Sheriff Chris Nocco was joined by Sen. Mike Fasano and other community leaders at the Suncoast Mobile Gas Station, 16055 State Road 52 in Land O' Lakes, to introduce the new sticker program designed to alert customers to stores that do not sell synthetic drugs, which are comprised of a cocktail of toxic chemicals. Store owner Paul Jallo signed a statement agreing to never sell the products. His store is the first to sign the agreement and post the sticker, which reads in part "Synthetic Drugs Kill - These Drugs Are NOT Sold Here." "We don't sell it," Jallo said. "…
Monday, April 30, 2012
Chris Nocco is sending a letter to hundreds of convenience stores in Pasco County warning them about the penalties for selling the manmade drug.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s called Spice, K2 or synthetic marijuana: Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco calls it illegal. To that end, he’s sending out a letter dated today to hundreds of convenience stores throughout the county. The letter describes the penalties for selling products that contain ingredients banned by the Florida Legislature. It also reminds store owners that the sheriff’s office plans to check stores to make sure they’re following the law. Do you think synthetic marijuana is a problem in Pasco County? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Here’s a copy of the sheriff’s letter, which was posted on the agency's Facebook page: To all Pasco County Convenience Businesses: This letter is to inform you that the Florida …
The fake pot is endangering lives, all because what users really want to smoke is illegal.
Editor's note: Diane Kearns-Carlstrom is an advocate for the legalisation of medical cannabis and a polio survivor. She writes about alternative health, politics and spirituality and is a member of the clergy. Today, teenagers and adults in our community are smoking a substance they consider to be synthetic marijuana. Typically called Spice, this stuff is a blend of herbs and chemicals that was created to mimic a marijuana high but will not show up during a urine analysis. Last July, Spice, was made illegal in Florida, or maybe I should say the chemical compounds sprayed on it were made illegal. Florida Gov. Rick Scott also signed into law on March 23, 2012, a measure expanding the ban to make additional compounds illegal and already there…
michael mirra
8:22 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
This stuff should be outlawed. I used it & learned the hard way that it IS poison. It is toxic chemicals that simulate pot high, but unlike pot, it is very damaging to the human body. I only hope that the damage it did to my body will be overcome by my body's recouperative powers. I fear for any poor innocent kids that can easily damaged by it. The law makes them change the chemicals & they use … more ›