Gazette.Net: New tools to combat designer drugs

Tom Fedor/The Gazette Potpourri being sold by the name "spice" is pictured at Classic Cigars & British Goodies on Monday afternoon, November 14, 2011, in Frederick, MD.

The sale of designer drugs in Frederick may be illegal in the next few months, thanks to new federal legislation and a possible city ordinance prohibiting the sale of bath salts and synthetic marijuana.

Federal legislation that goes into effect in Oct. 1 is designed to help authorities combat an ever-changing list of chemicals that keeps manufacturers one step ahead of the law, according to Capt.Tom Ledwell of the Frederick Police Department.

The federal law is part of a broader measure targeting many more chemical compounds than a law passed last year. Two bath salt chemicals, mephedrone and MDPV, were banned last October. Health and law-enforcement officials say the drugs lead to bizarre behavior and health problems.

Stemming the tide of such drugs will take a multifaceted effort that may also include a new local law, Ledwell said.

Frederick police have identified six businesses in the city that sell the designer drugs, four of them on Market Street, but suspect there are more. None of the businesses is currently selling anything illegal, according to Ledwell. The drugs are also available on the Internet.

We are examining some other municipal ordinances already on the books, and whether it would be feasible to put into place in Frederick, Ledwell said.

He does not know how long it will take the city to enact such a law. He said that the police department has been in discussions with the city attorney and the Frederick County states attorney for a few months.

Frederick Mayor Randy McClement (R) said he is supporting the effort to enact a city law to give police tools to address the growing concern of designer drugs.

It amazes me that these drugs are sold with innocent-sounding names like bath salts and are used for getting a speed-like rush, not a relaxing soak in the tub, McClement said.

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Gazette.Net: New tools to combat designer drugs