Orillia’s police services board is trying to make it tougher for kids to buy the gear that's used to smoke illegal drugs.
Bongs, pipes and other drug paraphernalia are legal to sell. Currently in Orillia there is no law restricting who can buy it and that’s a concern for some parents.
“All of it is too accessible for the younger kids,” says Coun. Patrick Kehoe.
But that could soon change. The Orillia Police Services Board wants to see tougher restrictions and is calling on city hall to create a bylaw that would restrict the sale to anyone under 19.
“If it’s there to use than its there to abuse,” Kehoe says.
Kehoe sits on the police services board and is pushing for the ban after hearing several complaints from parents about teens as young as 14 buying the accessories.
“It's not unlike tobacco, alcohol or anything else where there is an age restriction. Better an informed decision be made at a time a person is mature enough to make that decision,” he says.
Some businesses such as Happy Dayz already enforce age restrictions. They don't sell to anyone under 16. Chad McInnes at The Pot Shop sells the accessories, including bongs and water pipes. He says even though a majority of his customers are in their 20s and 30s he supports the idea of an age restriction.
“That way we can actually have a rule, no you can't, or yes you can. As it stands right now there is no law or regulation on anything I sell,” he says.
The ban also has support of many people in Orillia hoping it could help deter teens from experimenting with illegal drugs.
It will be up to city council to decide whether to restrict the sale of drug paraphernalia to anyone under 19. Councillors are expected to discuss the issue next month.
