Headshop legislation due soon

Legislation banning the sale and distribution of mind-altering drugs by headshops is to be introduced by the Government soon.

The Bill, which is expected to be brought to Cabinet next week by the Justice Minister, will impose heavy fines and prison sentences of up to five years.

A Government source says it is often the practice of headshops to seek to protect themselves from legal sanction by labelling certain items as not being for human consumption.

This new Bill will allow gardaí go to the District Court seeking an order to close down a particular headshop for the offence of 'knowing or being reckless' as to whether these substances would be used for human consumption.

The proof required would be on the balance of probabilities rather than beyond reasonable doubt.

Head shop owners will have the right to appeal to the Circuit Court but the onus will be on the shop to prove that the materials it was selling were not for human consumption.