Citgo has asked the owners of its gas stations to stop selling K2 and Spice—a synthetic form of marijuana.
The sale of K2 and Spice has caused concern for many parents and local officials in Michigan, and Alan Flagg, the general manager of light oils marketing for Citgo, joined the outcry.
In a letter dated May 31, Flagg asked the local owners of Citgo stations to stop the sale of K2 at locally-owned, Citgo-branded locations, even in states where the substances are legal, including Michigan.
“Substances such as synthetic marijuana and Bath Salts, sold under a variety of names, including Spice and K2, have proven to be harmful substances, especially for teenagers,” Flagg wrote in the letter. “At least 40 states have banned their sale in some form and legislation is pending in other states. Clearly, the sale of these substances creates a negative image that is disparaging to the CITGO brand and the many individual identities that your retail locations have in their communities.
“Therefore, the sale of these substances in a CITGO-branded location is prohibited under our Marketer Franchise Agreement (the “MFA”),” Flagg continued. “Should sales of these substances at CITGO-branded locations continue after the date of this letter, CITGO may take such action as it deems appropriate to protect its brand image, including debranding the location.”
In addition, Citgo is working with the Michigan Petroleum Association to back a bill in the state Senate that would prohibit the sale of “synthetic cannabinoids.”
Senate Bill 1082 is sponsored by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, who represents the 29th District in Kent County.
State Rep. George Darany of Dearborn has introduced a similar bill in the House.
This morning, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Sheriff Michael Bouchard announced that on June 7, they and Auday Arabo, President and CEO of the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers, will unveil a countywide initiative to help stem the distribution and use of synthetic marijuana and other synthetic drugs.
A Facebook Group called Ban K2 Shelby has organized a rally at the Citgo Gas Station on Van Dyke in Shelby Township June 2 at 10:45 a.m. after the owner said he would not stop selling K2 until it becomes illegal to do so in Michigan.
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