MOUNT VERNON — Few household items sound more innocuous than bath salts, and a good soaking in Epsom salts is a time-honored home remedy for sore feet. But there is nothing innocent or healing about the so-called bath salts that have become drugs of abuse.
Until Ohio House Bill 64 was signed into law early this year by Gov. John Kasich, the dangerous “designer” bath salts were sold openly at some gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops and on websites, under names such as Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Bliss and Vanilla Sky. HB 64 was introduced by State Rep. Margaret Ann Ruhl, R-Mount Vernon, and State Sen. Dave Burke, R-Marysville. It treats possession of bath salts as a misdemeanor, and makes it a felony to manufacture or distribute the chemicals.
