Ban the bong: Florida eyes bill to stop the sale of long glass pipes commonly used to smoke marijuana

The long pipes commonly associated with marijuana smoking may soon take a hit in Florida.

Legislation aimed at prohibiting the sale of glass and other pipes, commonly called 'bongs,' sailed through the House Business and Professional Regulation subcommittee on Wednesday.

The measure is sponsored by Rep. Darryl Rouson, a self-described former drug addict who says the accessibility of the pipes at hundreds of stores across Florida help perpetuate drug addictions.

Rep. Darryl Rouson, a former drug addict, wants to ban 'bongs' in Florida

He said the pipes can be used to inhale crack cocaine, hash and meth as well as marijuana.

After the hearing, the St. Petersburg Democrat said he wants to 'take away the convenience of addicts being able to go to the local corner store and buy utensils that can be used for illegal ingestion of drugs. And we want to help law enforcement.'

State law now allows only certain retailers to sell the pipes if at least 75 per cent of their sales come from tobacco products or they have no more than 25 per cent of 'certain drug paraphernalia' sales.

Legislators claim getting rid of the glass pipes will make it harder for addicts to get legal utensils to ingest illegal drugs

The bill (HB 49) would eliminate that exception and make any sale a first-degree misdemeanor.

Second and subsequent violations would jump to a third-degree felony.

Florida shop owners are already mounting an opposition.