Politics

MT Legislature considers making bath salts illegal

Posted: Jan 14, 2013 7:46 PM by Marnee Banks (Helena)

The Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to crack down on the sale of bath salts.

MT State Representative Tom Berry (R-Roundup) is carrying a bill for the agency to make the sale of bath salts (also known as Spice) illegal in Montana.

The DOJ reports an increase in the number of people getting high off of bath salts and committing crimes while under the influence of the substance.

"Hopefully it will take some of these dangerous drugs off our streets. Hopefully it will save some of our citizens, young people from getting involved in these things," Berry said in an interview.

MT DOJ Deputy Attorney General Jon Bennion says House Bill 140 gives law enforcement the tools it needs to help reduce crime in Montana.

"In the last couple of years we have seen murders, hostage situations, attempted assaults many of these linked to Spice and bath salts." Bennion says. "They are very dangerous and very violent kinds of reactions that we see. So it's important to get them off the street."

The House Judiciary committee heard public comment on the bill on Monday.

The committee has not yet taken executive action on the bill to decide whether or not to send it to the House floor for a vote.