The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday designed by the Sheriff’s Department to combat synthetic drugs by using a multi-pronged approach to eradicate sales of these illicit substances. The ordinance includes criminal, administrative and civil penalties for those who sell drugs commonly known as “spice” or “bath salts.” The ordinance allows for enforcement based on the marketing, price, sales location, warning labels and similarity to street drugs. For example, synthetic drugs are often labeled as “window cleaner” but are sold in a smoke shop; do not resemble traditional window cleaning products; cost significantly more for a small portion of product; and are labeled with “not for purchase by minors.” The proposed ordinance finds a combination of the above-listed facts evidence the product is illicit. Furthermore, the ordinance creates penalties that include fines, misdemeanor charges and the possible loss of a business license. Twentynine Palms already has a local ordinance against selling these synthetic drugs, and county supervisors urged all towns and cities in the county to adopt similar ordinances.
