Lawmakers looking to close loop holes on "Bath Salts"
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: June 28, 2012
There have been efforts across the country, and in Congress to ban the drug commonly referred to as "Bath Salts."
To continue that push, Sen. Joseph Griffo along with local law enforcement, are teaming up to come up with ways to make the laws stricter.
"The issue of "Bath Salts" and the abuse of synthetic drugs and "Bath Salts" is very dangerous," said Griffo.
On Wednesday Sen. Charles Schumer announced that banning "Bath Salts" and 29 other synthetic substances had passed Congress and just needed the President's signature to complete approval.
Now, Sen. Griffo says the next step is to close all the loop holes.
"The Federal Government did some good work and looking at banning synthetic products. What we're trying to do now is look at this even more comprehensively, and more aggressively," said Sen. Griffo.
Sen. Griffo says he plans on drafting a bill to give law enforcement the necessary tools to make arrests.
"The manufactures of these products, these synthetic stimulants, these man made stimulants, they're changing the ingredients on a regular basis," said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol.
"The have to identify the substances, and they have to list them so that we have something that we can prove to the court that what they posses is illegal. Right now, we don't have that," said Oneida County District Attorney, Scott McNamara.
Sen. Griffo says he has plans to present the bill to push for these tougher laws sometime later this year.
To continue that push, Sen. Joseph Griffo along with local law enforcement, are teaming up to come up with ways to make the laws stricter.
"The issue of "Bath Salts" and the abuse of synthetic drugs and "Bath Salts" is very dangerous," said Griffo.
On Wednesday Sen. Charles Schumer announced that banning "Bath Salts" and 29 other synthetic substances had passed Congress and just needed the President's signature to complete approval.
Now, Sen. Griffo says the next step is to close all the loop holes.
"The Federal Government did some good work and looking at banning synthetic products. What we're trying to do now is look at this even more comprehensively, and more aggressively," said Sen. Griffo.
Sen. Griffo says he plans on drafting a bill to give law enforcement the necessary tools to make arrests.
"The manufactures of these products, these synthetic stimulants, these man made stimulants, they're changing the ingredients on a regular basis," said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol.
"The have to identify the substances, and they have to list them so that we have something that we can prove to the court that what they posses is illegal. Right now, we don't have that," said Oneida County District Attorney, Scott McNamara.
Sen. Griffo says he has plans to present the bill to push for these tougher laws sometime later this year.
