Beyond Protest, Norton Gets a Promise: Stop Selling K2

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a community protest at an Exxon station located at 2652 Benning Rd. NE (between Anacostia Ave. and Oklahoma Ave. NE),and across from Spingarn High School, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) walked over to the business, owned by Mohammad B. Arif, and spoke with the manager, Malik, and got from him a promise to cease selling synthetic marijuana, also known as K2, in any form, and to discard what he had on hand.

A resident tried to purchase K2 at the station before the protest, and was told by the manager they do not sell it, but just before the protest, a member of Norton's staff succeeded in purchasing two packages of K2, labeled "Scooby Snax", at $10 each. Norton showed the brightly-colored packages to the manager, who in turn produced a list of jurisdictions that banned K2. The District of Columbia was not on that list because the city is still going through the process of strengthening its laws against the drug. The Congresswoman informed the manager that the federal government had already barred the sale of K2, and President Obama signed that bill into law in July. Norton noted the proximity of the station to Spingarn High School, Phelps High School, and River Terrace Elementary, and asked the owner for his word that he would no longer sell K2 in any of its forms. Norton made clear that his compliance would be tested by the community. He not only gave Norton his word, but also his business card, and said he welcomed members of the community to verify his compliance going forward. Norton said she was satisfied with the owner's promise, coupled with the commitment she obtained from community members attending the protest, who pledged to check on the Exxon station periodically for the sale of K2. The Congresswoman expects the D.C. Council to pass its K2 ban this session and hopes the city will give wide publicity to corner stores, gas stations and other businesses that have been selling various forms of K2.

Published: December 4, 2012