Pubdate: Tue, 04 Mar 2003
Source: Idaho State Journal (ID)
Copyright: 2003 Idaho State Journal
Contact:  http://www.journalnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/936
Author: Jason Ainsworth

TOBACCO SMOKING DEVICES

The raiding of the three stores in Pocatello regarding the crackdown on the 
sale of "drug paraphernalia" is not justified and should result in some 
consequences to all agencies involved.

The sale of legal tobacco smoking devices is not a crime and should not be 
treated as such, regardless of what some people may use these for. There 
are many legal things used as drug paraphernalia, such as light bulbs, tin 
foil, pop cans, rolling papers, and many other things. But we do not see 
law enforcement agencies raiding stores which sell these products, and 
arresting owners and employees.

Furthermore, the terms used to describe these devices, such as "bong," etc. 
is arbitrary. The use of such objects is not determined by what it is 
called. Calling a water pipe, which is intended for smoking tobacco, a 
"bong" does not make it an illegal device used for smoking marijuana.

These acts by law enforcement should be considered illegal, and need to 
result in some appropriate changes in their policy, and the way they 
interpret the law.

Jason Ainsworth,

Pocatello
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens