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Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
October 6, 2012
Bunnell officials to weigh synthetic drug ban
Author: Aaron London; STAFF WRITER
BUNNELL — Following the lead of Palm Coast, Bunnell city commissioners are set to discuss
an ordinance banning the sale, manufacture or display of herbal incense, designer drugs or bath
salts.
City Manager Armando Martinez said the ordinance, on the agenda for Monday's City
Commission meeting, would not make the sale or display of so-called synthetic marijuana, bath
salts or incense a criminal act but "more of a code enforcement act."
He said Police Chief Jeff Hoffman recommended consideration of a ban, especially with Palm
Coast passing an ordinance banning the sale of such substances last week.
"We're just trying to stay ahead of the curve," Martinez said.
As a former law enforcement officer, Martinez said he is familiar with the impact such products
can have on a community.
"A lot of these designer drugs come out and become something that is abused and illicit and
needs to be controlled," he said. "That is why they are called controlled substances. They are
being misused and causing harm."
Martinez said the issue is also one of basic safety for city residents and to ensure that Bunnell
does not become a haven for purveyors of such products.
"I think part of our job here is to try and create a safe environment for our citizens," he said. "In
addition, with surrounding cities and counties already adopting similar ordinances, I want to
make sure Bunnell doesn't become the new hub for this because we don't have one. Basically, we
don't want to be known for fried chicken and designer drugs."
When the issue comes up for debate Monday, Commissioner Elbert Tucker said he will
reluctantly support the ordinance.
"I'm going to go along, but I'm sure going to argue against having it," he said.
Tucker said his concern is that there are already state and federal laws covering such products.
"It's a redundant law and it's another ordinance on the books," he said. "Now we will have to set
up another line of rules and ramifications about what we're going to do if somebody violates our
code."
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