Warminster Supervisors Prohibit Synthetic Recreational Drugs

Hours after Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett signed a bill on Thursday banning the use, sale and possession of the drugs known as “bath salts” and other designer drugs like synthetic marijuana, the Warminster Township supervisors adopted a similar ordinance that will take effect in only five days as opposed to the state law’s 60 days.

The supervisors unanimously passed a motion to approve their ordinance 707 prohibiting the possession, sale, use and delivery of those drugs. A conviction constitutes a summary offense punishable by no more than $300 and imprisonment for no more than 90 days.

“We chose to put an ordinance in effect because it’s quicker to get the stuff off of the street,” said supervisor Ellen Jarvis.

Such drugs, including bath salts, containing methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), are comparable to methamphetamines, with side effects such as hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.

The state’s Senate Bill 1006 poses more severe penalties, making it a misdemeanor to possess the drugs and a felony where a defendant is convicted of possessing them with an intent to deliver or sell them. The misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to a year in prison, and the felony, up to $15,000 and up to five years in prison. The drugs will be classified as Schedule II substances, which also include heroin and cocaine.

According to Jarvis, the state law, when it has taken effect, will supersede the township’s law. The township can avoid a potential double-jeopardy situation where a suspect is charged with the state law, but not the township law, explained township solicitor Michael Savona.

“Obviously the state has a much bigger stick and they swung hard to make this punishable,” said Savona.

According to Jarvis, Warminster Police Chief Michael Murphy informed them that there are known sites in the township where such drugs were sold openly, and that the police want to ensure that this does not happen again.

“It’s important to keep our kids and families safe,” said Jarvis.