Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) D.C.’s new zero tolerance policy against the sale of synthetic marijuana isn’t stopping some store owners from continuing to sell the product. A number of stores were temporarily closed for violating the “three strikes, you’re out” policy.
“We just learned of one closure where there was a safe full of synthetic drugs found on the premises,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Per the new policy that store on Bladensburg Road was closed for 96 hours and fined $10,000. A second violation imposes a $20,000 fine and 30 day closure. At that point the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs would also begin the process to permanently revoke the store’s business license.
Police Chief Cathy Lanier is working with lieutenants in every neighborhood to catch stores violating the policy.
“We were out on a walkthrough of Columbia Heights yesterday where we heard from the community, the lieutenants and the commander for the area how they’re attacking the issues,” Bowser said.
On that walkthrough Bowser stopped into one gas station whose owner agreed to put up a pledge sign and talk to all of her staff to make sure synthetic drugs are not brought into her store.
D.C. Cannabis Campaign Chief Adam Eidinger said the drug has become popular because, unlike traditional marijuana, the use of synthetic marijuana doesn’t show up on drug tests.
There is a test that detects the use of synthetic marijuana, and Bowser wants the city’s labs to have access to it.
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