Tinley Officials Look to Create Local Ordinance Mirroring State Ban on Synthetic Marijuana

officials may soon be drafting a local ordinance that mirrors the new Illinois law banning synthetic marijuana.

Synthetic cannabis, often under the name "K2" or "Spice" among a long list of others, . But now is proposing that officials lay down the local law on the sale, possession and use of the products, which are often marketed as legal "harmless" alternatives to the real thing. 

"We haven't found a lot of this (in Tinley), but it's here," he said at Tuesday's Public Safety Committee meeting. "This is to be proactive. These drugs are attractive to young people." 

He said an ordinance would "act as a charging tool" so officers could decide whether to cite someone at the local level—resulting in a fine but no criminal record—or pursue charges to the full extent of the state law, which could lead to penitentiary time.

Perhaps a 17-year-old who wasn't aware the drugs weren't legal would be hit with the ordinance, while a repeat offender such as a smoke shop owner who's been warned, would be slapped with the latter, Neubauer suggested.

"It's not like we'll be gearing up for trial on these (ordinance violations)," said trustee Brian Maher, who is chair of the Public Safety Committee. "More often than not it's gonna be a guilty plea and a fine."

He noted that ordinances typically carry misdemeanor fines of anywhere from $75 to $750. According to the state law, sale of the drug carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $150,000 fine. Possession can lead to three years in prison and rack up a $25,000 fine.

Prior to the new year, the products were sold as incense in packages that often stated "Not For Human Consumption." And although some reports say the drug—a mix of herbs and chemicals—can mimic the effects of marijuana, many believe it's a lot more dangerous.

Will County State's Attorney went so far as to call it a "public health crisis." He said in December that poison control centers across the country received more than 5,000 calls related to it in the first nine months of 2011.

officers routinely check the village's 14 smoke shops to ensure they're complying with the new law, Police Cmndr. Steve Vaccaro said. 

"A couple of tobacco shops have had it on their shelves," he said. "They've been asked to remove it."

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