Council Votes Unanimously to Pass Synthetic Pot Ban; One More Vote to Go
By: Ashley Hinson
Updated: January 31, 2013
After two months of discussion and research, the Lubbock City Council is one step closer to banning synthetic marijuana after all six members at City Hall vote to make the product illegal Thursday night.
Right now, headshops across the South Plains keep their shelves stocked with the drugs.
However, with one more voting session it would become illegal to sell, possess or use synthetic marijuana and be punishable by a $2,000 fine.
Every Lubbock resident that spoke about synthetic marijuana Thursday begged the council for that ban, including an emotional Gina Johnson.
Johnson has been behind the push to get the drugs off Lubbock shelves since the very beginning.
She read a poem originally about methamphetamine, but she said the title 'synthetic marijuana' could easily be exchanged in its place.
"I destroy homes and tear families apart," read Johnson. "I take your children and that's just the start. I can bring you more misery than words can tell, come take my hand let me lead you to hell. That's what this stuff does it leads them to hell."
The final vote is scheduled for February 14th.
Mayor Glen Robertson is still recovering from heart surgery and could not vote Thursday night, but he's expected back for the final vote.
Right now, headshops across the South Plains keep their shelves stocked with the drugs.
However, with one more voting session it would become illegal to sell, possess or use synthetic marijuana and be punishable by a $2,000 fine.
Every Lubbock resident that spoke about synthetic marijuana Thursday begged the council for that ban, including an emotional Gina Johnson.
Johnson has been behind the push to get the drugs off Lubbock shelves since the very beginning.
She read a poem originally about methamphetamine, but she said the title 'synthetic marijuana' could easily be exchanged in its place.
"I destroy homes and tear families apart," read Johnson. "I take your children and that's just the start. I can bring you more misery than words can tell, come take my hand let me lead you to hell. That's what this stuff does it leads them to hell."
The final vote is scheduled for February 14th.
Mayor Glen Robertson is still recovering from heart surgery and could not vote Thursday night, but he's expected back for the final vote.
