(a) Findings of Fact. The Village Board of the Village of Edgar finds the following facts to exist:
(1) Law enforcement authorities have advised Village officials that the increased use of synthetic drugs is negatively affecting the health, safety and welfare of the public.
(2) Synthetic drugs are commonly marketed as a safe and legal alternative to marijuana or other controlled substances regulated by Chapter 961, Wis. Starts.
(3) Ingestion of synthetic drugs has been shown to produce dangerous side effects such as, but not limited to:
a. Nausea;
b. Vomiting;
c. Hallucinations;
d. Blurred vision;
e. Delusions;
f. Headaches;
g. Agitation;
h. Anxiety;
i. Insomnia;
j. Convulsions;
k. Addiction;
I. Psychosis;
m. Elevated blood pressure;
n. Loss of consciousness;
o. Tremors;
p. Suicidal thoughts;
q. Seizures;
r. Paranoid behavior;
s. Elevated or irregular heart rates; and
t. death.
(4) Due to the manner in which such synthetic substances are marketed, the manufacture and sale of synthetic drugs is purportedly not fully regulated by the federal Food And Drug Administration (FDA) and/or federal drug enforcement authorities.
(5) Because slight molecular alterations can be made to chemical compounds, law enforcement authorities have often found it difficult to take enforcement actions against manufacturers and sellers of synthetic drug products. Synthetic drugs are currently being sold without even basic regulation and licensing requirements of the type other businesses in the Village of Edgar must comply with.
(6) Like the marketing of synthetic cannabinoids [such as, but not limited to, Spice/K2], as incense, these substances are commercially available and in some instances are marketed as "bath salts" under such names as Bliss, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning, Ivory Snow, Red Dove and Hurricane Charlie, or are packaged or marketed as potpourri, incense, plant food, spice, tobacco, or dietary supplements.
(7) The establishment of retail points of sale for synthetic drug products in the Village of Edgar would increase the use of synthetic drugs, and would likely have negative secondary effects on nearby businesses and residences.
(b) Statement of Purpose. This Chapter provides certain minimum licensing standards for establishments making available to the public synthetic drugs. The purpose of this Chapter is not to condone illegal activity nor is it to legitimize activity that may now, or in the future, be considered illegal activity under state or federal laws or local ordinances.