Adams County

Recent news from Wisconsin Dells about zero tolerance for marijuana, area consumers say, “it is back to “rolling joints”, they sell those papers everywhere, just like booze and energy drinks.“

The Wisconsin Dells Police Department issued six warnings this week to stores advising them they are violating federal and state laws and a city ordinance by selling drug paraphernalia.

Mayor Brian Landers, in a press release, announced a crackdown on stores selling synthetic marijuana and those selling drug paraphernalia. The announcement was made on Tuesday, the day the state law on synthetic marijuana went into effect. “The new law classifies synthetic marijuana as a Schedule One drug under 961.14. Persons in possession of synthetic marijuana, or its derivative, can be charged with a misdemeanor,” Landers said in the press release. The city had previously adopted an ordinance prohibiting the sale of synthetic marijuana and in the council’s Legislative Committee meeting on Thursday, adopted the state statute into as a city ordinance. That action is expected to be approved by the council on Monday.

Sale of drug paraphernalia is usually considered to be such items as pipes for smoking marijuana and other drugs such as cocaine, bongs and items with hidden compartments for hiding drugs or drug devices such as syringes. The sale of such items is illegal under state and federal law as well as a city ordinance.

In the announcement, Landers said, “Effective July 18, the City of Wisconsin Dells will have a zero tolerance policy on the possession with intent to sell, and sale of drug paraphernalia in our city. Over the years, some downtown retailers have increased their marketing and product line of pipes, bongs, hidden compartment merchandise, and other items in a manner that presents itself as drug paraphernalia. This marketing and display has turned some downtown retailers into a mixed-bag of contraband opportunities that is especially attractive to children and teens.”

If stores do not remove the items by July 18, Landers said stores will be issued daily fines that could from $100 to $1,000 per item depending on whether the violation is a municipal one or is a misdemeanor.

Landers said he walked through stores downtown and saw they were marketing items with hidden compartments to sell drugs, which he said was implied when the items were next to pipes, bongs and T-shirts with marijuana leaves and slogans on them. The T-shirts are not illegal. He also said he saw stores selling “mood enhancing brownies” that had no list of ingredients on the label beyond saying it was a herbal blend, and the brownie was on the shelf next to synthetic marijuana.

The stores are promoting a drug culture, Landers said, and he hears from students at Madison Area Technical College that their friends go to the Dells to get drug paraphernalia. Landers is a criminal justice instructor at MATC.

Landers said he discussed the enforcement with Police Chief Jody Ward and the police department wants to enforce it. Landers, a former officer, said the department did not have the support for such enforcement before.

Lt. Perry Mayer, of the Dells Police, said, “The Dells has always been a wholesome family tourism destination. The city doesn’t want a clientele who are drawn to illegal paraphernalia and synthetic narcotics that are just a substitute for real narcotics. It’s not something we want in this community. If a teen is on the edge, paraphernalia may help them make a bad decision. If we can stop before it starts that’s better. If we can eliminate the availability of the ability to make a bad decision, that’s better.”

“As Mayor, I take my responsibility to promote a family-friendly and anti-drug image to our residents and visitors alike very serious. Our city now has the leadership and resources to effectively rid our community of these items that promote and enable illegal drug use,” he concluded in the release.