Associated Press Published

W.Va. House Passes Bill Banning Sale of Bongs, Bowls

Marijuana

West Virginia businesses couldn’t sell bongs, bowls, mini spoons or other items marketed for illegal drug use under a proposal passed by the House of Delegates.
 
House lawmakers voted 94-2 Wednesday to make intentionally selling drug paraphernalia in West Virginia a misdemeanor, punishable by up to $5,000 in fines and six months to a year in jail. The Senate will consider the bill next.
 
Some pipes, roach clips, tubes, masks and cigarette papers are among 15 items the bill deems paraphernalia.

Whether a product is ultimately declared drug use equipment would depend on its instructions, how it’s marketed or displayed, how often it’s bought for legitimate purposes and if a business sells related legal products.
 
The bill exempts items bought with doctors’ prescriptions, or pipes, papers and accessories for tobacco.