Tunney Pushing Tighter Rules For Head Shops
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A City Council committee has backed a proposed ordinance to tighten requirements for so-called "head shops" in Chicago.
WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports it is illegal to sell drug paraphernalia in the city, but Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) has won approval from the Committee on License and Consumer Protection for an ordinance to force so-called "tobacco accessory stores" to disclose more information about what they sell, and how it's displayed in their shops.
"Many of these head shops are licensed no differently than a convenience store that sells cigarettes, but their impact on the community can be very different," he said.
The proposal was prompted by complaints that head shops display bongs, pipes, and other drug paraphernalia in their windows.
Tunney said his aim is to make sure head shops – stores that sell items often used by marijuana users – do not violate the paraphernalia laws.
"The ordinance is primarily about data. We need to understand the universe of tobacco accessory retailers, and the impact they have on the retail community, and the community at large," Tunney said. "We've seen a recent increase in the amount of tobacco accessory shops."
The measure now goes to the full City Council for a possible vote at its meeting next week.