East Lyme - The Board of Selectman will hold preliminary discussions tonight on a possible ban on the sale of drug paraphernalia at local stores.

Parks and Recreation Director Dave Putnam will give a presentation to the board, which will make no immediate decisions on the matter.

"It's just an informational session," Putnam said. "We're going to introduce it to see whether (the selectmen) are in favor of it."

The item is on the agenda for the regular meeting scheduled for 7:00 at Town Hall.

The Coalition on Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), a group of drug prevention advocates that includes members of the boards of education and selectmen and the Office of Youth Services, is leading the push for the ban.

If enacted, the ban would outlaw the sale of items traditionally used to smoke marijuana, such as pipes and bongs.

Putnam said six to 10 shops in East Lyme sell drug paraphernalia, and that a town worker has entered stores to photograph the various implements.

According to police Sgt. Joe San Juan, it is not illegal to sell a pipe or bong because they are sold for tobacco use.

"Nine times out 10 that is not what they are used for," San Juan said.

It is also legal to possess drug paraphernalia, provided it has not been used to imbibe illicit drugs. "Then it's possession of drug paraphernalia," San Juan said.

In July, the Connecticut legislature voted to decriminalize possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana, making it a $150 fine for a first offense. The law also made it an infraction to possess drug paraphernalia provided its use is in conjunction with less than one-half ounce of marijuana. (EDITORS NOTE: This paragraph corrects an earlier version of this article.)

Selectman Mark Nickerson, an ASAP member, said the ban is still in the planning stages and that the town attorney has not yet reviewed the proposal.

'We need to have a townwide discussion," Nickerson said.

A community forum is slated for Nov. 15 at the high school.

Putnam said there was no particular incident that inspired talk of a ban; its intent is to curb drug use.

"It would make it difficult to be able to use them for drugs," Putnam said.

s.chupaska@theday.com