Despotism in the Name of Safety: Ogden’s Complete Ban of “Spice”

Effective immediately, the “manufacture, distribution, use, possession, purchase, attempted purchase, sale, attempted sale, giving, trading or bartering of spice” is a class B misdemeanor in the city of Ogden and is punishable by six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Ogden is the first municipality in Utah to pass a complete ban of the drug.

In phone interviews conducted by Utah Liberty with the city council members that were available, it became evident that popular opinion and the safety of children were the motivating factors behind the legislation. Council member Bart Blair admitted that government doesn’t have the “right” to prohibit consenting adults from putting harmful substances in their bodies, but that the safety of the community’s children made it necessary. However, despite the concern for the children, the legislation bans use for people of all ages. Blair said this was intended to reduce exposure to the drug anywhere in the city. When asked if a law that incarcerates a consenting adult and seizes his property for consuming something is a just law, Blair responded, “In our city it is.”

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