CRACKDOWN ON PARAPHERNALIA DRAWS NOTICE

Sales Of Pipes And Bongs Are Targeted By The Government's New Initiative

Just what exactly do you plan on smoking with that pipe?

That question could take on a new meaning for retail stores selling tobacco
accessories thanks to the Justice Department's new initiative cracking down
on the sale and distribution of drug paraphernalia.

Last week, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced that a nationwide
investigation, designated Operation Pipe Dreams, had resulted in 27
indictments of people on charges of trafficking in illegal drug paraphernalia.

Although the sting was primarily designed to curb the sale of drug
paraphernalia over the Internet, it also included a number of retail stores
and head shops that sell marijuana pipes and bongs. Federal authorities
said that one of those indicted is Tommy Chong, the comedic actor best
known for the reefer-soaked "Cheech and Chong" films.

Operation Pipe Dreams has not affected the handful of Columbia stores that
sell smoking accessories. Still, some Columbians are concerned about the
Justice Department's latest actions.

"These places have been open for years and suddenly they start raiding
their businesses," said Shane Stander, general manager of Dream Catchers, a
Columbia store that sells tobacco accessories such as water pipes and glass
pipes. "They should at least give some warning and not use these militant
tactics."

Lt. Ed Moses of the Missouri State Highway Patrol disagrees. Moses, a
former undercover drug agent, is coordinator for the DARE. drug prevention
program and trains officers for the patrol's drug division.

He said the attorney general is right on target in focusing on
establishments such as head shops.

"This is exciting news for parents and people who care about our children,"
he said. "This has been ignored and a low priority for too long."

Under Missouri law, manufacturing or selling drug paraphernalia, including
bongs, marijuana pipes and roach clips, is a Class D felony. Missouri, like
most states, passed a version of the model drug-paraphernalia law drafted
by the Justice Department in the 1970s in an effort to crack down on the
growth of head shops.

But defining drug paraphernalia is largely left up to local prosecutors.

As of Thursday, Boone County Prosecutor Kevin Crane said he had not heard
from federal authorities regarding Operation Pipe Dreams. Crane said that
it isn't a philosophical issue for his office and that he would review any
paraphernalia cases referred to him by law enforcement before deciding
whether to proceed.

Drew Wade, a spokesman for the Justice Department, said Operation Pipe
Dreams is an ongoing investigative effort and that federal authorities will
continue to look closely at any stores that sell or distribute drug
paraphernalia.

"I think there's a new focus and attention on this activity because it
affects a wide breadth of the population," he said. "A lot of these
companies are targeting children in their marketing and the way their
products are designed."