HEARING SET OVER FAKE-MARIJUANA BAN

DeSoto supervisors plan to review ordinance to cover rest of
county

The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors has set a public hearing on
Monday at 10:30 a.m. during its regular meeting in Hernando to review
adopting an ordinance banning sales of synthetic drugs.

"It's consistent with what the municipalities have been doing," County
Administrator Michael Garriga said Friday. "The ordinance would affect
merchants in the unincorporated areas of the county," and close any
gap, he said.

Southaven, Hernando, Horn Lake and Olive Branch already have passed
ordinances outlawing possession and sale of synthetic marijuana and
cocaine that are popular with teenagers and college students. The
products have been deemed hazardous after reports surfaced of people
getting sick after smoking the herbs.

In July, less than a month after Southaven passed its ban, a store in
the city, Sam's Snack Express at 8980 Hamilton, was accused of selling
the herbs and was declared a public nuisance by the board of aldermen.

Recently, the owner of the store, Abdullah "Sam" Mohammed, pleaded
guilty to several charges including selling K2 synthetic cannabinoid
products and operating an illegal head shop in a commercially zoned
area. He has since been allowed by the city to reopen his store, but
if he is caught selling K2 or violating any city ordinance again, he
will have to shut his business permanently.

There were concerns that sales would shift to shops in unincorporated
areas following enforcement of bans by the cities.

Penalties in the cities range up to a six months in jail and $1,000
fine for the misdemeanor. The county's proposed revision to the drug
and alcohol ordinance would ban the sale of substances known as K2,
K3, Spice, Spice Gold and other names.

A ban in Tennessee on such substances went into effect July 1. In
Mississippi, state Bureau of Narcotics officials say they will ask
lawmakers in January to list the substances as a Schedule One drug
with penalties on par with those for the sale and possession of marijuana.

According to Monday's agenda, the supervisors also are expected to
hear an update on the shift to state mental health services provided
by the Corinth-based Region IV office.

"It's rolling along," said Garriga. School-based programs are on
schedule and adult services are being set up, he said, adding that the
county was especially glad to have crisis center services available.