Synthetic marijuana crackdown spreading throughout western Massachusetts Published: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 8:01 AM Updated: Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 9:00 AM By Conor Berry, The Republican
NORTHAMPTON – A synthetic substance that produces a high similar to that of smoking pot may still be legal, but a growing number of western Massachusetts police departments are cracking down on stores that sell so-called synthetic marijuana — a substance that many communities across the country are seeking to ban. Last month, Westfield police raided two convenience stores and seized an estimated $12,000 worth of the synthetic substance and related drug paraphernalia. This week, Northampton police visited a few dozen city stores to warn them about selling the substance before further enforcement action is taken. the entire article at source
Even though the phony pot is legal, Westfield police managed to criminally charge shop owners under a state law prohibiting the sale of substances that alter one’s state of mind when inhaled. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 270, Section 18, expressly forbids the intentional inhalation of “fumes of any substance having the property of releasing toxic vapors, for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, euphoria, excitement, exhilaration, stupefaction, or dulled senses or nervous system, nor possess, buy or sell any such substance for the purpose of violating or aiding another to violate this section.”
a growing number of western Massachusetts police departments are cracking down on stores that sell so-called synthetic marijuana — a substance that many communities across the country are seeking to ban.