Kane County Mom Pickets Another Store, Educates Shoppers On Fake Marijuana

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The mom on a mission against fake weed was at it again on Saturday.

Karen Dobner of Aurora gathered with a group of 12 to picket outside of the Rabja Stop 71 tobacco store in Oswego. The group of 12 chanted “fake pot kills, don’t shop here” and carried signs that said the same.

“It’s all about education, trying to get the word out,” said Dobner, president of the To The Maximus! Foundation. The foundation is against products which mimic the effects of marijuana and are sold in stores; the products often carry  more severe, dangerous side effects when ingested.

“We’re trying to draw attention to the fact that this is a five-billion dollar industry," Dobner said of synthetic drugs. "These very smart, greedy people have found a way to market to our kids, right under our noses, without us knowing.”

This is the second picket that Dobner has organized with the foundation. on Sept. 10.

Dobner's foundation has gained momentum in recent weeks. Thanks to the foundation and its supporters, the drugs are now banned in three area towns, but is still legally sold in Oswego. The cause is a deeply personal one for Dobner—she said synthetic drugs played a role in her in Batavia Township.

Drugs In Town

Karen Dobner said several tobacco shops in Oswego are selling synthetic marijuana, more commonly called "fake weed," according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Dobner said that she has evidence that Rabja Stop 71, located at 4530 Route 71, sells synthetic drugs because people have reported it. Dobner had not spoken to the owner or seen the products in the store herself.

People are outraged because the store markets the products and pushes it towards teens, Dobner said.

Batavia Patch could not confirm whether the store is indeed selling these products. The employee at the store would not publicly comment. The owner was not at the store during the protest and could not be reached later on Saturday.

Peaceful, Tearful Protest

Protesters distributed pamphlets and spoke to people who walked by or shopped at the Oswego Plaza.

Dobner became emotional when speaking to three teens about the effects of the synthetic drug and . Batavia Patch overheard one of the teens tell Dobner he was sorry for her loss.

Batavia Patch spoke to the Oswego teens following their conversation with Dobner. They said they know people who have used it, gotten high after consuming it and that it’s dangerous. One teen, who declined to be named, said she has even tried synthetic marijuana before.

Another teen said she was surprised that the drug known as bath salts wasn’t also being discussed. U.S. drug enforcement officials describe bath salts as products containing another a designer drug that results in psychotic episodes, panic attacks and an increased heart rate.

The protest was peaceful and did not involve any altercations or response from the Oswego Police Department. 

A Movement Spreads

Dobner had notified the police department about the plans to protest. She also spoke to Police Captain Nick Sikora about the possibility of an ordinance in Oswego to ban synthetic marijuana. 

Sikora told Dobner that an ordinance has not been presented to the Oswego Village Board and the idea is still in the investigative stages.

on Tuesday and Aurora and Sugar Grove banning synthetic drugs, Dobner said.

“My concern is that here all the other communities around Oswego are doing everything they can to protect our youth, and all our kids have to do is drive over to Oswego," Dobner said. "It’s time for Oswego to join us and protect our kids."

On a national level Dobner said she is aware of House Bill HR 1254, which is due for a vote. She is confident it will pass and go to the Senate.

"Fighting For Many Years"

To continue the message, Dobner said the Geneva Coalition for Youth contacted her. on Oct. 29. 

“We know that we’re making a difference, we’ll just never be able to (truly) know the kind of difference we’re making,” Dobner said.

Legislation was passed this summer in Illinois, but it will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2012. Dobner encourages communities to pass ordinances that will take effect immediately.

“We’re confident that this is going to be a solution in Illinois, but (the drugs are) still sold widely on the Internet," she said. "It’s going to be a battle that we’re going to be fighting for many years.”

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