Archive for November, 2011

• Chula Vista City Councils Passes Nuisance Ordinance On Spice Sales

  Date: 2011.11.08 | Category: Alternative Media | Response: 0

  (Freedomizer Radio) – November 7, 2011. My latest field reporting assignment took me to a Chula Vista City council meeting where a community organization called PASS( People Against Spice Sales ) convened with the city council to air their grievances with the city council to get a nuisance ordinance passed against two substances being sold in convenience and liquor stores throughout the community.

  There are two substances that PASS is concerned about. One is a substance that is being marketed as an incense called spice. Spice is dried plant material that resembles marijuana in appearance and has been treated with a synthetic drug known as K2. K2 is a legal substance that is chemically similar to the active ingredients that are found naturally in marijuana. K2 has some of the same physiological and psychological affects as the substance in marijuana but is much more dangerous and unpredictable. Although the spice is marked as ‘Not for Human Consumptions’ people that purchase the substance are using it like marijuana. During my investigation I was shown several containers of spice and being a graphic artist in my spare time I took notice of the some of the colorful and hallucinogenic-like graphics that were used in labeling the products along with the suggestive names given to the products.

  The second substance PASS is concerned about is a granular and crystalline type substance bearing some of the same graphics and suggestive names and is marketed as bath salts. The bath salts are also labeled ‘Not for Human Consumption’. As with the spice consumers are smoking and/or vaporizing the substance to alter their consciousness. The bath salts bears some of the similar chemical monikers as the K2 substance and much like the spice is very dangerous and unpredictable.

  During the course of my field reporting I was able to interview some of the people that were sitting in for the vote and listening to the various presentations and arguments for the passage of the nuisance ordinance.

  My first interview was with Jesus Cardenas, a consultant with Neighborhood Market Association, and he expressed his concerns with these dangerous substances and was telling me how they were their members about the legal ramifications of the ordinance and was encouraging their members to refrain or stop selling the substance altogether. You can click on his name and listen to the interview he granted Freedomizer Radio.

  I also had a chance to speak with Samantha Dabish, Vice President of Community Relations for the Neighborhood Market Association, and she expressed her concerns with the dangerous substances and emphasized uniformity regarding the ordinance and consumer information about the substances. You can click on her name and listen to the interview that she granted Freedomizer Radio.

  During a break in the city councils chambers meeting I was able to speak with Michael Moore, a student of a local high school that was present and also gave his testimony to the city council. You can click on his name and listen to the interview that he granted Freedomizer Radio.

  After the city council meeting concluded and the nuisance ordinance had been passed I was granted an interview for Freedomizer Radio by William Perno, Co-Founder of PASS( People Against Spice Sales ). William is a retired law enforcement officer and has in-depth knowledge of the substances mentioned. The scope of his expertise and knowledge of these dangerous substances go far beyond the scope of this article. You can click on his name and hear the interview.

  I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the city council meeting and hear the groups concerns regarding these substances and being able to have experienced the true meaning of our Constitutional First Amendment and how it takes an active role to make our government work as it was intended by the Founding Fathers.