'Spice' Ban Moves Forward in Gulfport

Surrounding communities have passed "spice" or synthetic marijuana bans and now Gulfport is moving forward with a similar law.

Council unanimously voted, during first reading Tuesday, to pass the ban.

The proposed ordinance is modeled after bans in Pasco County and St. Petersburg. According to the council agenda, those cities are reporting reductions in the sale and use of these substances.

During Tuesday night's council meeting Gulfport Police Chief Robert Vincent explained that Gulfport's ordinance is aimed at stopping the sale of synthetic drugs.

The proposed regulation applies to characteristics of bath salts and illicit synthetic drugs, such as street names and packaging.

Vincent explained that the wording included in the ban would allow officers to immediately seize substances and enforce the ban at point of sale. Basically the ban focuses on how it's packaged and how it's sold. The reason for this is that once state and local lawmakers pass a ban on a substance based on chemical mixture, those making the synthetic drugs change the mixtures again to make them legal.

Vincent explained that the wording in this ordinance would help them stop the synthetic drugs from being sold in Gulfport.

During Tuesday night's meeting Vincent and City Manager Jim O'Reilly explained that several local businesses have voluntarily handed over these products.

“They have been more than cooperative,” O'Reilly said.

Council will vote during second reading at a future meeting. If it's passed, the ban takes affect immediately.

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