Minister expects head shops to fight laws

THE Government’s Drugs Minister said the head shop industry had the “best legal representation that money can buy” and will certainly challenge planned laws to put them out of business.

Speaking at an Oireachtas committee, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey said he would seriously consider a recommendation by the committee that head shops be legally required to obtain a pre-sale licence for all their products.

Mr Carey, who is responsible for the national drugs strategy, said he would also consider another proposal raised at the committee requiring head shops to obtain product liability insurance in order to get a licence to trade.