The Bong Bill

This is how bad the Florida legislature has become. Rep. Darryl Rouson’s "bong bill" has finally made it into law.

Rep. Darryl Rouson’s “bong bill” was widely ridiculed, since its inception in 2010 as a sales tax on drug paraphernalia, and the concept has been tied up in court challenges by retailers who sell various pipes and other smoking devices. But Rouson, a recovered drug addict who has marked 15 years of sobriety, argued that the pseudo-smoke shops congregate in college towns and openly market their wares to young people.

The St. Petersburg Democrat's bill (HB 49) makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly sell paraphernalia generally associated with drug use. Repeat offenses are felonies.

I respect Rouson's feelings as a recovering addict. However, police resources should be used for other things besides raiding smoke shops.