SAFE GC: Support Restrictions on GC Stores Selling Drug Paraphernalia

It is against the law in New York not only to possess or sell illegal drugs, but to possess drug paraphernalia for the purpose of manufacturing, selling or packaging drugs. Under New York Penal Code § 220.50 to be convicted of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree the prosecutor must show that you knowingly possess or sell: (1) Diluents or adulterants; (2) Gelatine capsules, glassine envelopes, vials, capsules or any other material that can be used to package narcotics; (3) Scales and balances used or designed for the purpose of weighing or measuring controlled substances. As many of these items have other, innocuous uses, to be convicted of this crime the prosecutor must show that you possessed or sold these products under circumstances that indicate that you knew that the products were to be used to manufacture, package or sell drugs.

The City of Glen Cove has seen an increase in retail shops that have ostensibly opened as a tobacco shop and slowly started to begin to introduce drug paraphernalia and sell illegal synthetic drugs. In June, the Glen Cove Police Department Crime Prevention Unit (CPU), began investigating sales of synthetic Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from local smoke shops located within the city. The investigation was initiated after the department received complaints that youths were purchasing various synthetic THC products from local smoke shops in the area.

During the investigation, 8 people associated with 4 smoke shops in Glen Cove were arrested and charged with drug offenses. THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana and it’s what gives users the ‘high.” Synthetic THC is man-made in labs and is the main ingredient in products called Delta- 8 that is currently illegal under New York State law, as well as edible gummies and candies. Many of these candies have very similar candy wrappings as popular candies such as Razzles, Skittles and life savers. The arrests took place at the end of June and the first week of July. There was no direct evidence at this time that the any illegal sales were made to underage youths.

To date, 8 stores have opened in the City. Of those, 5 have illegally opened and have sold illegal synthetic drugs. This behavior will not be taken lightly and the Glen Cove Police Department will continue their hard at work to identify and deter any future infractions.

Strong and effective laws and regulations are needed to protect youth from deadly addiction by reducing access to tobacco, vaping products and other drug paraphernalia.

The SAFE Glen Cove Coalition urges the community to support an ordinance that will preclude retail shops from selling drug paraphernalia. The Coalition was formed in 2003 to change societal norms about alcohol and substance use and is composed of the following community members: youth, parents, business, media, school, youth-serving organizations, law enforcement, religious or fraternal organizations, civic or volunteer groups, healthcare professionals, state or local agencies, and other local organizations.

The Coalition has always advocated for the health and wellness of the Glen Cove community. Its mission is to eliminate alcohol and substance use in Glen Cove. In 2006, the Coalition initiated the City of Glen Cove’s first Social Host Law which makes it a violation for adults to permit alcohol use in their homes by persons under the age of 21. In 2007, the law was adopted county-wide. In 2014, Hookah Lounges were banned and in 2011 No Smoking signage was prohibited at all Parks and Beaches and was modified to include vaping in 2018. These environmental strategies were a result of a long standing collaboration with Carol Meschkow, Manager- Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island.

The Coalition will continue to provide alcohol and drug prevention, intervention and education to prevent and reduce youth use and will continue to inform the community about retail store activity. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencovecoalition or visit SAFE’s website to learn more about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco/vaping and other drugs at www.safeglencove.org.