City council to vote on Spice ban

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The city of West Lafayette could become the first in Tippecanoe County to ban the synthetic cannabinoid known as "Spice" or" "K-2."

Residents in West Lafayette planning on buying Spice may have to leave the city to purchase it. The city of West Lafayette is ready to vote on an ordinance banning the substance and local businesses like Amused and Citgo have already agreed to stop selling the product.

West Lafayette Police Chief Jason Dombkowski sent letters to the businesses last week requesting the businesses stop the sale.

"We think it's a matter of public health and public safety. There has been quite a buzz about people ingesting the substance, which product the label reads it is not designed for," said Dombkowski. 

West Lafayette City Council member Steve Dietrich said a public thank you is in order.

"We are very appreciative of the two local merchants that have voluntarily withdrawn it. They are to be applauded for their efforts,"said Dietrich.

Dietrich added the council does expect not everyone will agree with the ban. And some residents say it might not stop users.

Purdue student Kevin VanDyke said, "If they are going to use it, they are going to use it. They are going to find some other means to get it."

"It doesn't provide for anything against the use, so we don't really expect that we can stop it, were certainly trying to make an obstacle in between we certainly know there is other avenues," said Dietrich.

The city council plans to vote on the ordinance September 7. Lafayette and Tippecanoe County are considering similar bans.