A 23-year-old Massapequa resident was arrested after state troopers caught him allegedly lighting a bong while driving on the Meadowbrook State Parkway. Newsday reports (subscription required), "When they pulled over the driver, identified as Vincent Deluca, they 'smelled an odor of marijuana emanating from the 2005 Chevy that Deluca was driving.'" They also found psychedelic mushrooms. Deluca was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. more ›

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 29,000 glass pipes from an international mail holding facility in Jersey City on June 24. The pipes were part of a shipment from a Canadian company that had been previously charged with transporting drug paraphernalia into the U.S. Although the sale of such smoking accessories is legal, (provided they are marketed as being only for tobacco use--the reason even using the word "bong" in a head shop can get you thrown out the door) certain laws aimed at protecting youth prohibit the transfer of items deemed to be "drug paraphernalia" through the mail. The criteria smoking accessories must meet in order to be considered as such are laid out in U.S. Code 21 § 863(d). Officials place the market value of the pipes at around $500,000, and say they were headed for sale in New York City. Sadly, this means that St. Mark's might be short a few glow-in-the-dark skull bongs this summer. more ›

The Long Island convenience store owner who took pity on a bat-wielding robber and gave him $40 and a loaf of bread is facing trouble with the law—for selling drug paraphernalia. Mohammed Sohail, as well as other business owners, "face civil penalties for allegedly selling illegal pipes, bongs and hookahs," according to Newsday. Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko and Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota claim that "Undercover investigators bought items from Sohail, and the other store owners, after making clear that they would use them for drug use." Legislator Kate Browning said that while Sohail's generosity to the would-be robber was nice, "But I know who he is, I know what he was doing. No sympathy for him." And Sohail simply told Newsday, "I threw everything in the garbage. I don't want it anymore." more ›

Michael Phelps proved once again that it's almost always a bad idea to go to a college party after you've earned your degree. After photos emerged yesterday of Olympic record holder smoking from a bong while at a party in November at the University of South Carolina. Today Phelps released a statement saying, "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again." Many are speculating what action may be taken by sponsors and the World Anti-Doping Agency which lists marijuana as one of its banned substances. Phelps pleaded guilty to drunk driving in 2004 at the age of 19 and was sentenced to 18 months probation. Phelps's diet once consisted of 12,000 calories a day and after the Olympics he admitted to not training and getting antsy looking for something to do. more ›