TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida House has passed a bill outlawing the sale of marijuana pipes known as "bongs."
The House passed the bill (HB 49) on a 112-3 vote Wednesday. That was after approval of an amendment that exempts "briar, meerschaum, clay or corn cob" pipes.
State law currently allows certain retailers to sell the pipes. Any sale of marijuana pipes would be a first-degree misdemeanor if the bill becomes law. Second and subsequent violations would jump to a third-degree felony.
Democratic Rep. Darryl Rouson of St. Petersburg says his bill sends a message against illegal drug use by making the pipes inaccessible at stores "down the street" from schools.
The Senate is considering a companion bill.
