Police Raid 'Head Shop' Thanks To New Law -Prosecutor Says He Will Run Shops Out Of County

thekansascitychannel. ^

[chance33_98]

Police Raid 'Head Shop' Thanks To New Law Prosecutor Says He Will Run Shops Out Of County

POSTED: 10:29 p.m. CDT May 7, 2003 UPDATED: 10:52 p.m. CDT May 7, 2003

BELTON, Mo. -- Cass County prosecutor Chris Koster is cracking down on so-called "head shops" in his jurisdiction thanks to a new provision in a state law.

Head shops are stores that sell types of pipes often used to smoke drugs, KMBC's Martin Augustine reported. Until recently, head shop owners had legal protection because it was assumed that tobacco could also be smoked in those pipes.

But now, a new provision in a Missouri law outlaws selling materials if there are "circumstances where one reasonably should know" that the item will be used to "inject, ingest or inhale" controlled substances.

"We're going to use the new twist in this law to close down every one of these (shops) that open up in Cass County, and absolutely run them out of town," Koster said.

Officials are afraid the teenagers, attracted by trendy clothes also sold at head shops, will be drawn into drug culture, Augustine said.

Police raided one store in Belton Wednesday, citing the aforementioned law. Officers arrested the store owner, Kevin Van Trump, and his wife.

Officers pulled about 25 boxes full of pipes out of the Belton store.

Breaking the law is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

[MineralMan]

"Police raided one store in Belton Wednesday, citing the aforementioned law. Officers arrested the store owner, Kevin Van Trump, and his wife.

Officers pulled about 25 boxes full of pipes out of the Belton store.

"

Funny stuff. Especially since rolling papers can be purchased almost anywhere tobacco products are sold. Bottom line here is that the local city fathers don't like the "hippie" nature of these stores.

"It just ain't right!"

[Sir Gawain]

I feel safer already!

[Kenton]

Must be an election coming up in Cass County.

[dljordan]

Well, that's the kind of thing that happens in a police state.

[JmyBryan]

Poor kids are going to have to go back to using the tube from the toilet roll ...

[freedom moose]

I wonder if wood and metal shop classes will be cancelled at the local high school too.

[Mears]

What a total waste of taxpayer money,it's like trying to hold the tide back or eliminate dandelions---can't be done.

[MineralMan]

"What a total waste of taxpayer money,it's like trying to hold the tide back or eliminate dandelions---can't be done."

Yup. And now where are the kids going to buy their black lights, underground comix, etc? It's a real shame, I tell you. A real shame.

Seriously, if one of the shop owners wants to pursue this, he/she will probably win. That trick never works, to quote Rocky.

[Cultural Jihad]

it's like trying to hold the tide back or eliminate dandelions---can't be done.

Nonsense. Where was the Woodstock Libertarian Party of 1798? Or 1820? Or 1844? Or 1872? Or 1893? Or 1903? Or 1918? Or 1928? Or 1939? Or 1944? Or 1954? Or 1964?

[Cultural Jihad]

Somehow I can't imagine anyone burning tobacco in one of these, but if one person out of 100,000 do, then one supposes it has a legitimate dual use, and must be treated as legit. < /sarc >

[chance33_98]

Ping

[TheWillardHotel]

Some good news for a change.
The Head Shop owners need to be given
a bar of soap and sprayed down with a
fire hose.
Then forced to change diapers of drug
addled people, and wipe their drool.

[MrLeRoy]

a new provision in a Missouri law outlaws selling materials if there are "circumstances where one reasonably should know" that the item will be used to "inject, ingest or inhale" controlled substances.

"We're going to use the new twist in this law to close down every one of these (shops) that open up in Cass County

So the shuruff knows for a fact that those "circumstances" apply to every head shop in the county? His determination to not exceed his legal authority is inspiring.

[dirtboy]

a new provision in a Missouri law outlaws selling materials if there are "circumstances where one reasonably should know" that the item will be used to "inject, ingest or inhale" controlled substances.

The gun grabbers are salivating over applying this legal concept to their pet cause...

[amused]

Some good news for a change.

No, good news is when people stop doing drugs not when authorities twist the law for their own crusade.

The Head Shop owners need to be given a bar of soap and sprayed down with a fire hose.

Ahhhh the Rambo treatment.

Then forced to change diapers of drug addled people, and wipe their drool.

This is important info. I had no idea that incontinence and lost of facial motor control were side effects of smoking marijuana.

[WhiteGuy]

Ein Reich!

[AppyPappy]

I know I feel safer now.

[Tijeras_Slim]

CJ, what is that? :)

[demsux]

bttt (bong to the top)