House Bill 49, known as the ‘Florida Bong Law’ has literally gone up in smoke.

News agencies continue to tirelessly spin the story as they deem appropriate, and the truth has been lost. Florida Citizens as well as the outside public have little to fear, and even less to worry about.

As initially drafted, House Bill 49 would have seriously reduced the availability of smoking paraphernalia from Florida shops. Essentially placing a ban on and prohibiting the retail sale of pipes. Smokers across Florida would have been affected by the Bill had there not been a voice of reason. The terminology in which House Bill 49 was written allowed for the penalization of the legal with the illegal. The stoner in the corner apartment would be affected along with the tweaker in the alley, and grandpa couldn’t light his pipe after the football game.

In the days leading up to the July 1st deadline, Florida citizens began to flock to local shops in-order-to secure reduced priced glassware. Unknowing shop owners and employees frantically began looking for options. In a few extreme cases people were left looking for employment. Floridians were shaken by the proposed ban, and the clock was ticking down to an uncertain future.

Under House Bill 49 the State of Florida ‘was’ supposed to outlaw the sale of ALL pipes by July 1st 2013. This was seen as far reaching, and one Florida shop owner stepped up for the cause.

Jay Work, a 51-year-old baby-boomer and self proclaimed “pipe salesman” decided to spearhead the project. “This bill would have put me and 390 of the other 400 store owners out of business and lots of people out of work.”

Work, initially looked to battle the proposed bill by himself, but heeded the counsel of his attorney. Lawyers were not going to be enough to continue the upward battle. With the help of store owners across the state Work began to organize the Florida Smoke Shop Association. With their help Work was able to raise more than $100,000; enough to pay for lobbyists to take the fight directly to the Capitol.

Eventually two House members who had originally supported the ban stated they would no longer vote for it. A new version of the bill was drafted by the Senate essentially rewording the law already on the books. The new bill prohibited stores from “knowingly or willingly” selling pipes for illegal drug use. This new bill has since passed in both chambers, and is currently in effect.

“We want our customers to know that we’re still here and in business.” “We don’t sell drugs, and I don’t sell pipes to people who say they want to do drugs.”

Florida’s new motto “Tobacco use Only.“

If you mention the word bong, expect to be kicked out of the store.

From your friend Down South,

DiSanto

Direct link to – Florida House of Representatives

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=49236