SMOKE-SHOP CLAMPDOWN BEING SOUGHT

City Council In El Cajon Calls For Tough Ordinance

EL CAJON -- Upset with the number of smoke shops here, the City Council
voted unanimously yesterday to restrict where such stores can do business.

The council asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would ban
smoke shops from opening within 1,000 feet of each other, schools,
churches, parks and other places where children and teens gather.

Smoke shops have operated in El Cajon without any restrictions, but the
arrival of a smoke shop in the heart of the city's redevelopment area last
year raised the ire of activists and residents.

In April, the council passed a temporary ordinance that prohibited smoke
shops from opening in the downtown area. The new ordinance probably will be
combined with the existing one.

Critics say smoke shops specialize in drug paraphernalia and send a mixed
message to youth. Business owners skirt federal law by claiming the glass
pipes, water pipes and other items they sell are used only for smoking tobacco.

Councilman Gary Kendrick, who brought the issue to the council, said smoke
shops are "a real cancer on our society."

"What I'm looking for is the strongest anti-drug paraphernalia ordinance we
can pass that will withstand constitutional muster," he said.

It could be months before any law goes into effect because it must go to
the Planning Commission before making its way to the council.

Before the council's action, seven people spoke in support of a new law,
and 11 more, who did not speak, indicated they also favored it.

JoAnne Bushby, executive director of the El Cajon Collaborative, turned in
a petition with 82 signatures urging the council to take action. The
group's substance abuse committee has been working with Kendrick and has
submitted a model ordinance to the city.

Joel Farrington of El Cajon, a recovering substance abuser, said the
council has the duty to institute the toughest law possible.

"It's foolish and naive to think these things are used for tobacco, and any
law enforcement officer will be able to tell you that," Farrington said.

One manager of a smoke shop downtown spoke against the proposal.