D.C. Council to consider tougher penalties for synthetic drugs
WASHINGTON (AP) - The D.C. Council is set to take up emergency legislation that would allow the police chief to temporarily shut down businesses that sell synthetic drugs.
Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed the legislation to combat a spike in overdoses linked to synthetic drugs. The substances can be found at gas stations and liquor stores in packaging that officials say is designed to appeal to teenagers.
The emergency bill would allow Police Chief Cathy Lanier to order a business found to be selling the drugs to be shut down for four days. Businesses would also be fined $10,000 for a first offense.
Lanier has said the current penalties for selling synthetic drugs amount to "a slap on the wrist." She believes the tougher sanctions will serve as a deterrent.