Pubdate: Wed, 10 May 2006
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Monique Tamminga

BONG REGISTRY SET UP IN CITY

Sell a glass crack pipe or bong in Langley City and you'll have to
tell police who you sold it to, including the person's name and address.

On Monday night, council passed a motion to prohibit sales of drug
paraphernalia to all persons under 19 years of age and require sellers
to record and report to RCMP all purchases.

Another bylaw that was passed prohibits any new business from selling
drug paraphernalia, grandfathering those stores that already sell
pipes and bongs.

The bylaws stems from concerns outlined by the Downtown Langley
Merchants' Association who say there are about five convenience stores
that are selling products used to ingest illegal drugs.

Main Spot News is one of those places. Glass bongs can be bought there
for $29.99.

If the bylaw receives final reading, the retail sellers of hash pipes
and bongs will be required to ask ID of all their purchasers. The
owner then has to record and report all information of the buyers. The
information given to police can be hand-delivered to the detachment or
sent via fax or e-mail the day of the sale.

Fines for violating the bylaw are no less than $200 and not more than
$10,000.

While the City may have liked to do an all-out ban of drug
paraphernalia, it is not allowed to under current legislation, said
City manager Cliff Gittens.

"Our solicitors advised us that we don't have the ability to ban under
current legislation," he said. The bylaws do not ban the sale of
hydroponics, said Gittens.

"As far as we know, no marijuana grow operation in the City used
hydroponics," he said.

Langley RCMP support the bylaw.

"This appears to be a very positive step in making a portion of the
retail sector more accountable for the merchandise they distribute,"
wrote Sgt. Dave Fleugel.

A similar bylaw is being reviewed in the Township and New Westminster
has passed a bylaw prohibiting the sale of drug paraphernalia in
retail stores.
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MAP posted-by: Derek