Castlebar politicians give cautious approval to ‘head shop’ legislation

Cautious approval to ‘head shop’ legislation


Edwin McGreal

TWO Castlebar Town Councillors have given a hesitant nod of approval to legislation this week to proscribe certain products from so-called ‘head shops’, two of which operate in Castlebar.
The legislation passed, which will come into effect in June, makes it illegal for the shops to carry or sell products like Kettamine, liquid ecstasy, Spice, Snow, Magic and Blow, among others.
Protesters claim that some of these products, termed ‘legal highs’, mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy.
However Castlebar Sinn Féin councillor Therese Ruane, who raised the matter of head shops at the February meeting of the authority, feels the legislation is only worthwhile if it is merely a ‘first step’.
“This legislation is an important and necessary first step. However it doesn’t go far enough and we need a more proactive approach. There are many more substances which have had question marks raised about them.
“No product should be sold over the counter without rigorous testing and being deemed safe for consumption. Head shops must be subjected to rigorous health and safety, product description, product liability insurance and commercial/trade regulation.”
Cllr Ger Deere, who first raised the issue last year, welcomed the move but still is calling for the complete closure of the shops.
“Certain products are being banned but that will be hard to enforce if they are not being packaged and labeled correctly,” he told The Mayo News. “The lack of proper labeling is still a huge concern and how are people meant to know what is in a product if it is not labeled. I would still like them to be totally banned myself but this is a start.”
Castlebar Town Councillors held a protest outside the two Castlebar ‘head shops’ in February and while planned weekly protests have been shelved, Ger Deere said he will lead a protest if he feels the legislation isn’t rigorous enough when introduced.
“On account of the legislation coming through we said we would hold off on further protests until we saw what the legislation would be like. If we’re not happy with what comes through, we’ll take to the streets again.”