Meridian ‘Spice’ shop shuts its doors | Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Star | Idaho Statesman
A downtown Meridian store that sold Spice has closed in anticipation of enactment of a local ordinance banning its sale.
The criminalization of the sale and possession of an increasingly popular synthetic form of marijuana has already shuttered one downtown business.
Mr. Smiley’s, a local shop at 903 N. Main Street that sold ”Spice“ — an incense that can reportedly induce a marijuana-like high — closed down last week in anticipation of a Meridian ordinance and a state ban, according to employees at neighboring businesses.
The Meridian City Council will review the proposed ordinance, making possession or sale of Spice a misdemeanor, during its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at City Hall, 33 E. Broadway. Gov. Butch Otter agreed to add several of the chemicals used in Spice to the state’s controlled substance list, but gave retailers until Friday to clear their shelves. The Idaho Legislature will have to decide whether to make the ban permanent.
Meridian City Attorney Bill Nary said depending on public comment the council could immediately act to pass the ordinance, making it effective after it’s published next Monday.
Spice has already been banned in 11 states.
Mark Ciccarello, owner of five Herb Incense locations in the Treasure Valley where Spice is sold, said the state’s action will ”immediately make criminals“ of people who buy it as an incense.
Meridian law enforcement officials say that in the past year there has been a ”significant“ increase in the number of instances of people exhibiting symptoms of Spice use, including paranoia, vomiting, seizures, high blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
In some cases, the drug has caused the user to become violent, said Deputy Chief Tracy Basterrechea.
”There was a case in Hawaii where a man tried to throw his girlfriend off the balcony because he had been smoking Spice,“ said Basterrechea said.
Ciccarello questioned the need for a city ordinances when the synthetic compounds in Spice have been declared controlled substances.
”They say it causes vomiting, seizures, high blood pressure and loss of consciousness,“ Ciccarello said. ”Sounds like the same things that come from drinking alcohol. But they’re not trying to outlaw alcohol use. Maybe because the state operates the liquor stores.“
He said Spice has been such a big seller that a ban may affect his business, as well as the more than 20 workers he employs.
Joe Estrella: 377-6465
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