Madison head-shop owners find business continuing as usual despite fear caused by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration nationwide raids in February 2003. No drug related raids occurred in Wisconsin last February, but several head shops in Pennsylvania, Iowa and California were raided, with 50 individuals indicted, according to the DEA.
“What stores are doing is completely legal under the law, even if some people use their products illegally,” University of Wisconsin student Mary Brannen said.
In tune with last spring’s raids, Knuckleheads, located at 502 State St., stopped selling glass and metal pipes last February, according to Knuckleheads corporate president Steve Agee. Agee said moving the store last September did affect business, but their inventory of clothes, lighters and cigars continues to attract customers.
A Sunshine Daydream manager who wished to remain anonymous said glassware constitutes only about one-20th of the store’s inventory. The manager also said despite the slow season in January and February combined with rising rent on State Street, business has continued as usual.
The issue of selling glassware and metal pipes is an incredibly gray area, according to Mad Hydro owner Jane Davis. Federal law requires stores to display signs stating products are for tobacco use only, and all head shops need to stress regulations regarding what can be said to customers.
“Everything depends on what you call things; certain words with illegal intent will get you kicked out,” Davis said. “There can be no inference to any illegal activity.”
The newly opened Mad Hydro, located at 449 State St., specializes in hydroponics, glassblowing and glass pipes. Davis is most excited about the basement level of the store, where glassblowing classes are set to begin in February.
Her decision to place the glassware room downstairs follows federal guidelines that tobacco-related products must be sold in an area accessible only to customers over 18.
The glassware room contains pipes, wineglasses, pens and ashtrays. Davis said her products, which line 16 glass cases in the basement, are of an overall high quality and include glassware made by Madison artists.
Both Davis and a manager at Sunshine Daydream said the raids of last spring targeted large-scale manufacturers whose operations were Internet-fueled and aimed at a younger audience.
Madison is known for its eccentric, liberal nature that appeals to a wide array of people who constantly challenge laws.
“As long as certain guidelines are followed and store owners are required to step around the red-tape rules, I’m cool with it,” UW student Michael Johnson said.
According to the DEA website, police arrested 27,635 people for drug trafficking in 2002.
