SENATOR MAZUREK SPONSORS BILL TO CRIMINALIZE IMPORTATION OF BATH SALTS

Calls for action to protect Mainers from this growing epidemic 

AUGUSTA—Senator Edward Mazurek (D-Rockland) is sponsoring a bill to criminalize the importation of synthetic hallucinogenic drugs, commonly known as bath salts. Bath salts have been illegal in Maine since 2011, but are still available for purchase online.

“Bath salts are dangerous and unpredictable. They are a threat to our communities,” said Senator Mazurek. “My bill will make it illegal to bring bath salts into the state, giving law enforcement another tool in cracking down on the ongoing fight against bath salts.”

Senator Mazurek’s bill would make it illegal to bring these purchases into the state. As written, the bill would make it a Class D crime. Senator Mazurek will propose amending the bill to make it a Class C crime. A Class C crime is a felony and punishable by up to five years in prison, while a Class D crime is a misdemeanor and only punishable by up to one year.

In January, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency seized 6.5 lbs. of bath salts valued at more than $1.2 million in Hermon.  The seized drugs were ordered online and shipped from China. According to Darrell Crandall, MDEA’s Division II commander, law enforcement in the state are seizing more and larger quantities of bath salts while amounts of other illegal drugs, like cocaine, have decreased.

Bath salts are a destructive and unpredictable drug that has been likened to the crack epidemic of the 1980’s and poses a serious threat to communities around the state. Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross has said that bath salts use in Maine is contributing to both high healthcare costs in the state and increased home burglaries.

The public hearing for this bill will be held in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, room 436 of the State House, on March 22, 2013 at 10 a.m.

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