Synthetic Drug Ordinance

Supervisor Ramos.

Tuesday July 8, 2014, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance making it unlawful for any person to possess any synthetic drug for the purpose of providing, distributing, or selling the synthetic drug.

The ordinance was designed by the Sheriff’s Department to establish what the department calls a multi-pronged approach to eliminate the sales of these substances which have been documented to cause hallucinations, agitation, psychosis, aggression, suicidal and homicidal ideations, cannibalism, and death. Recreational use of these substances, also known as “bath salts”, has gained popularity at an alarming rate among high school and college-age individuals as well as among parolees and probationers.

The purpose of this ordinance is to provide the County with the means to address the dangers to the community posed by synthetic drugs that are not regulated by state or federal law. “I hope the community of Barstow takes pride in the fact that their efforts in dealing with these dangerous substances were highlighted at the meeting today.”

Sheriff John McMahon commended the efforts of the community members who worked closely with the Department in dealing with this issue. “These dedicated community members have been a driving force in garnering awareness of this problem and opening law enforcement’s eyes to the extent of possible sales in the county.”