MC 908/09: No So-Called Sexual Stimulants For Kids Act

When you walk into a gas-station convenience store do you pay much attention to the items on sale? Many of us don't. But if you did, you would see the usual fare: candy bars, sodas, cigarettes, first-aid supplies, etc. You might also see something more surprising: Aphrodesiac Pills.

Well, actually they claim to be aphrodesiac pills but its highly doubtful they have any effect at all. These products are not FDA approved and are sold under sleazy brand names such as "Horniest Goat Weed", "Stamina-Rx" and "All Nite Long".

Just like unregulated nutritional supplements sold at GNC stores, there is very little government control over what is in these pills. Not only is this a danger to public health. It is also a very big rip-off. It's just a scam to separate over-eager men from their hard-earned money.

Furthermore, these products are available to anybody who walks into the store. Including children. Maryland's age of consent is 16. So marketers of sexual products have no business targeting children under that age.

For this reason I have introduced the "No So-Called Sexual Stimulants For Kids Act". This bill would ban selling products marketed as sexual stimulants to minors (people under the age of 18) in Montgomery County. It would force gas-station owners to check IDs the same way they currently do for cigarettes. They will also have to keep these items behind the counter.

Here is the actual text of the bill.

This bill will be voted on in Annapolis in January. However, there will be a public hearing for this bill at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 11, 2008. It will be held in the 1st Floor Auditorium in the Executive Office Bldg (101 Monroe St., Rockville). If you support this bill and you live in Montgomery County, I urge you to attend and testify that evening. Just let me know by email in advance. You must sign up to testify by clicking here.

- Saqib