NO LEGISLATION ON SELLING 'BONGS' IN STORES

Mother Concerned About Children Being Exposed to Paraphernalia

It was bound to happen soon, someone asking why it is so easy to
purchase a device commonly used to smoke marijuana in local
convenience stores.

This week, the Times was contacted by a local mother who wishes to
remain anonymous, with concerns about several private stores in town
having "bongs," sometimes sexually explicit in design, on display
right at their entrance in some cases.

In the summer, she and her children would go to a store in Crescent
Park for popsicles during an after dinner bike ride. They stoped
going there, when it was realized these items were so readily available.

They decided to frequent a different private store in the area, who
was coincidentally selling the same products.

She feels it is highly "irresponsible" for store owners to have these
items in their inventory, especially when their places of business are
in such close proximity to schools and are frequented by many children.

"It should be segregated, I don't think these should be mainstream
items," she said.

"It's up to us to keep our community safe," she added.

Considering there is already legislation in place for store owners to
conceal tobacco products in an unseen area behind the counter, the
same should apply for these pieces of merchandise.

"It's the first thing you see," said the local mother who feels laws
need to be adjusted to get rid of this reality.

"I want to know why the government isn't stepping in on
this."

Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor, who is Fort Erie's representative in
the provincial government, said this issue has already been brought to
his attention elsewhere in his riding and he agrees progress needs to
be made to regulate or eliminate the sale of these products.

The difficult part is that it is assumed the devices are being
purchased and used for illegal reasons, but the way they sit in the
stores... there is no current law against it.

"It's a legal product that could be used for illegal purposes," said
Craitor.

The provincial politician also said he is in the process of finding a
way to bring this matter forward at Queen's Park.

"We're looking for a way to come up with some type of legislation,"
said Craitor.

Rob Nicholson, Canada's minister of justice and Fort Erie's
representative in the federal government, has also visited sites where
the sale of these products takes place.

He agreed, saying it is a challenge to find a way to get them out of
stores, under current legislation.

"There are a lot of legal uses for these pipes," said
Nicholson.

He said a first step for residents who are concerned about this can
take is boycotting the establishments they see this taking place in.

"If store owners are selling products that can be interpreted as
paraphernalia for people in the drug business, tell them you're not
going to patronize their store," said Nicholson.

"Maybe they'll get the message," he added.

He also said that any discussion on the legalization of marijuana
needs to be squashed because "it sends out the wrong message to young
people."

"We all have a part to play, helping people live the lives they are
capable of living," said Nicholson.

One store owner was interviewed, who said he doesn't sell many of the
products, but does have an extensive collection on display.