Oswego bans sale, possession of synthetic marijuana
By Jenette Sturges jsturges@stmedianetwork.com November 2, 2011 4:54PM
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Updated: December 4, 2011 11:06AM
OSWEGO — Oswego has joined the list of Fox Valley communities banning synthetic marijuana.
The Village Board voted 6-0 this week to ban synthetic marijuana, effective immediately.
Village police officers on patrol Wednesday were instructed to visit shops known to be selling the substances and alert business owners to the new ordinance.
The fine for selling or possessing the synthetic drugs is $750, which when collected would be allocated to the village’s general fund. Offenders under 18 would also have to appear with a parent before an adjudication officer.
Once a new statewide ban on synthetic marijuana goes into effect on Jan. 1, Oswego police likely will send repeat offenders through the court system, but first-time offenders could receive just a ticket.
The ban includes K-2 and Spice, branded substances that are often labelled as potpourri, but also includes language that will extend the ban to any synthetic substance chemically similar to THC, the drug in marijuana.
The language of the law might have to be updated from time to time, said Interim Village Administrator Dwight Baird.
“This is going to constantly change; the chemists are constantly coming up with new stuff,” Baird said.
