Saugerties ban on synthetic drugs stiffer than state’s

The local law prohibits sale, possession or distribution.

SAUGERTIES — The state this week banned the sale of so-called “synthetic marijuana,” but the town of Saugerties has gone a step further and hopes the rest of New York will follow suit.

On Thursday, the Town Board voted 4-0 to adopt a local law prohibiting the sale, possession distribution of products containing synthetic drugs and synthetic cannabinoid. Councilman James Bruno was absent.

DURING A public hearing before the vote was taken, town Supervisor Kelly Myers said the state ban “doesn’t go far enough” because it doesn’t provide a means for local enforcement and does not provide a penalty for violating the ban.

Myers said the state ban also fails to cover synthetic drugs like those called “salts” and has no prohibition against possession of synthetic marijuana products.

THE SAUGERTIES law states its purpose is to protect the “public interest, welfare, health and safety of citizens within the town of Saugerties by prohibiting the sale and distribution of synthetic drugs and synthetic marijuana in local retail shops, and prohibiting the purchase of synthetic marijuana and synthetic drugs via Internet and mail order, and prohibiting the possession of synthetic marijuana and synthetic drugs.”

Violating the law carries a fine of up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for a second offense. A third offense could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and a year in jail.

SAUGERTIES Deputy Police Chief Joseph Sinagra said the local law gives officers “the bite” to remove the synthetic drugs that the state ban does not cover. He also said he hoped the law will be adopted beyond Saugerties so that Saugerties residents cannot simply go to neighboring towns to buy synthetic drugs.

“We hope this keeps right on going,” Sinagra said.

MYERS SAID she forwarded a copy of the local law to the Ulster County Legislature and hopes that body will consider the measure because Saugerties is only one part of the county.

“If we all come together as a larger community in the Hudson Valley and say this is bad for our kids, we can really have an impact,” Myers said.

THE STATE earlier Thursday banned the sale of synthetic marijuana that is sold in convenience stores, smoke shops and tobacco stores under brand names including Spice, K2 and Mr. Nice Guy.

The products produce a high when smoked and have been linked to severe reactions including death and acute renal failure. In announcing the ban, state Health Commissioner Nirav Shah said the products also commonly cause increased heart rates, paranoid behavior, agitation and nausea, among other symptoms.

The plant material in the products is coated with chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

AMONG THE speakers at the Saugerties public hearing was Christine Summers, whose son, Evan Wisniewski, died in 2008 at age 15 after being given a synthetic opiod, methadone, that was obtained legally.

Summers said was speaking in memory of her son, as well as the memories of Carlos Rivera, who died in 2008; Shawn Shields, who died in 2009; and Jon Rosenberg, who died in 2011 — all children of people she knows.

“I think what happened to my son was avoidable had that substance not been legal,” Summers said. “I also think that the sale of legal synthetic drugs in Speedy Mart and some of the other gas stations and convenience stores, within miles of us tonight, is absolutely ridiculous.”

Fighting tears at times,

Summers thanked Myers for proposing the local law and said the town standing up to these kinds of perils may prevent the deaths of other children in the future.

Summersalsoexpressed hope that a law like Saugerties’ will be enacted by the state.

MYERS ON Thursday also introduced a second proposed local law, this one prohibiting the sale, possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia in the town.

The Town Board will hold a public hearing on the proposal at 8 p.m. April 18, in the senior center on Market Street.