Cape police report more marijuana cases this year over last

With the opening of Cape Girardeau's new head shop, Hempies, marijuana is once again the talk of the town, but just don't talk about it in the store, warns co-owner Sean Wibbenmeyer.

Laminated signs posted over Hempies' collection of smoking accessories warn customers not to mention illegal substances.

"We'll ask people to leave if they start talking about that because we don't want any trouble," he said, standing next to issues of High Times magazine on the counter. "I've heard third-hand that some people are calling us the 'drug store,' but we don't sell anything illegal here. The pipes are a tool that buyers could use for illegal things, but that doesn't mean they will."

But whether marijuana is mentioned in the store or not, that's exactly what most customers will use in the pipes they buy at Hempies, located at 113 Themis.

Despite any change in public attitudes about recreational pot use, law enforcement still takes it seriously. Since 1990, nearly 5.9 million Americans were arrested on marijuana charges, according to NORML, an organization seeking decriminalization of the drug.

More than 11,967 cultivated marijuana plants were destroyed in Missouri last year as part of Operation Cash Crop, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Officers also seized 226.4 pounds of processed pot during the operation.

Earlier this month, more than 1,200 plants were discovered in a Blodgett, Mo., home by the SEMO Drug Task Force. The alleged operators of the hydroponic operation, Darryl and Vicki McKnelly, face felony drug trafficking charges and a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Last year, the Cape Girardeau police took in 90 marijuana-related reports. The total for 2002 has already surpassed that at 112, said patrolman Jason Selzer.

Anyone caught with 35 grams or less of marijuana earns a misdemeanor charge and could face a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. However, fines and probation are the typical sentences for first- and second-time offenders. All of Cape Girardeau's misdemeanor drug possession charges are sent through the city's municipal court system. Since marijuana is the only illegal drug that isn't a felony to possess, practically all of the city's misdemeanor possession cases concern marijuana, said clerk Shea Stafford.

Some of those charges were also for possession of drug paraphernalia, which carries the same level of punishment. An item becomes drug paraphernalia once it is used with an illegal substance and the residue of the drug is left behind, Selzer said.

The more pot a person possesses, the more serious the range of punishment. Up to 30 kilograms of marijuana is a felony and can garner seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine. More than 100 kilograms can earn a life sentence and up to a $20,000 fine.

Selling any amount of the drug is a felony and carries harsher sentences, with prison terms increasing in length depending on the amount sold and whether the drug was sold to a minor or close to a school or public housing.

Unlikely customers

Wibbenmeyer said most of his customers are young adults, but a significant number of them are people least expected to frequent a head shop.

"You'd be surprised at the number of middle-aged people buying a pipe," he said. "Some are in and out within two minutes. They know what they want."

Since relocating Hempies from Sikeston, Mo., Wibbenmeyer, 26, said sales have been good and he has had only positive comments from walk-ins and neighboring businesses. He knew Hempies would do well in its new location because at least half of his customers at the Sikeston store came from Cape Girardeau, he said. The warm and profitable welcome has shown Wibbenmeyer that public attitudes in about marijuana use and hemp products are more open here, he said.

The top sales day at the Sikeston store was beaten within three days in Cape Girardeau, he said.

Wibbenmeyer graduated from Purdue University with a degree in supervision and business management. His mother, Karen Alberson, co-owns Hempies and the Video One store in Sikeston with him.

"The profit margin on the pipes is the largest of any item we carry in the store," Wibbenmeyer said. "Some have a 100 percent markup. As long as we're the only ones selling it in town, I guess we can pretty much charge whatever we want."

Smokers are willing to pay those prices, too. Some of Hempies' more elaborate water pipes, or bongs, can cost hundreds of dollars, but they still sell quickly.

Hempies also sells incense, candles, jewelry, hemp clothing and '60s-inspired posters. Fitting in with the bohemian atmosphere is an abundance of Grateful Dead merchandise.

Other sought after items are bags of fake urine and "detox" liquids that promise to remove any trace of marijuana from the body within hours. These are typically bought by those on probation or parole or people interviewing for a new job where a drug test is mandatory.

But the most popular items in the store are the glass spoon pipes, which resemble miniature works of blown glass art, Wibbenmeyer said.

Culture clash Over the years, television has made recreational marijuana use less taboo with comedies like "That '70s Show," where characters sit around a table every episode, apparently stoned although the audience never actually sees any drug use.

Movies have also played a part in desensitizing the public since, beginning with the Cheech and Chong films.

In September, a special Canadian Senate committee report recommended their parliament legalize and regulate marijuana sales to anyone 16 years or older.

On Nov. 5, Nevada voters defeated a measure to legalize pot use in their state 61 to 39 percent.

"Pot is in the public eye more, but the law hasn't changed," Selzer said. "These stores are a sign of the times, but I still think the majority of people want marijuana to remain a prohibited substance because the laws haven't been changed."

Wibbenmeyer disagrees and says marijuana should be decriminalized because it is considered less dangerous than alcohol use.

"Shouldn't people be upset at how much of their tax dollars are being wasted on fighting marijuana?" he said. "I'd rather see the police go after people who harm others, and I think probably a lot of cops feel that way, too. It's as if they are trying to protect us from ourselves."

Sgt. Rick Schmidt recalls other stores Cape Girardeau have previously sold the same smoking accessories as Wibbenmeyer's store, but none was as specialized as Hempies. He thinks the novelty for buyers will wear off, perhaps after everyone who wants a new pipe or bong buys one.

"I'd say it's safe to assume he'll be selling more clothing and other stuff than pipes after a while," Schmidt said.

Since opening a little over a week ago, a few police officers have stopped by the store to check out the merchandise, but Wibbenmeyer said their visit was positive and light-hearted.

"Thankfully, they didn't park right out front," he said.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160