MONROE - A city committee is taking up discussion of a proposed law that makes a citable offense of possessing or selling salvia divinorum and synthetic cannabinoids.
"These are relatively new substances. We just thought we'd get on it now," said Police Chief Fred Kelley. "We have had complaints about this stuff."
Kelley is presenting the proposed city law to the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee at a meeting in City Hall at 6:30 p.m. today, Aug. 6. He expects it will go to the city council for a public hearing Aug. 20.
Salvia and synthetic cannabinoids - known under various brand names and generally as fake marijuana - are already illegal by state law in Wisconsin, though some chemically similar substances remain legal. To avoid confusion, the law uses specific language to ban the chemical compounds also illegal at the state level.
The proposed ordinance is intended to save time and take out a middle man. If passed, it would allow local police to write tickets on the spot for anyone found possessing the drugs, instead of referring cases to the Green County district attorney for review and a charging decision.
- Katjusa Cisar
"These are relatively new substances. We just thought we'd get on it now," said Police Chief Fred Kelley. "We have had complaints about this stuff."
Kelley is presenting the proposed city law to the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee at a meeting in City Hall at 6:30 p.m. today, Aug. 6. He expects it will go to the city council for a public hearing Aug. 20.
Salvia and synthetic cannabinoids - known under various brand names and generally as fake marijuana - are already illegal by state law in Wisconsin, though some chemically similar substances remain legal. To avoid confusion, the law uses specific language to ban the chemical compounds also illegal at the state level.
The proposed ordinance is intended to save time and take out a middle man. If passed, it would allow local police to write tickets on the spot for anyone found possessing the drugs, instead of referring cases to the Green County district attorney for review and a charging decision.
- Katjusa Cisar