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7 SURPRISINGLY LEGAL PRODUCTS

By Daniel B. Kline, Boston.com Staff
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Some products and businesses just seem like there should be a law against them – but, in many cases there simply isn’t. Sometimes it isn’t an item’s intended use that seems like it needs to be regulated, but it’s obvious potential misuse. Many of the products listed herein have valid uses or could have them if rules were put into place to regulate potential abuse. A few, however, just leave you scratching your head.

    Really, that’s completely legal?

    Some products and businesses just seem like there should be a law against them – but, in many cases there simply isn’t. Sometimes it isn’t an item’s intended use that seems like it needs to be regulated, but its obvious potential misuse. Many of the products listed herein have valid uses or could have them if rules were put into place to regulate potential abuse. A few, however, just leave you scratching your head.

    7 SURPRISINGLY LEGAL PRODUCTS

    Some products and businesses just seem like there should be a law against them – but, in many cases there simply isn’t. Sometimes it isn’t an item’s intended use that seems like it needs to be regulated, but it’s obvious potential misuse. Many of the products listed herein have valid uses or could have them if rules were put into place to regulate potential abuse. A few, however, just leave you scratching your head.

    Really, that’s completely legal?

    Some products and businesses just seem like there should be a law against them – but, in many cases there simply isn’t. Sometimes it isn’t an item’s intended use that seems like it needs to be regulated, but its obvious potential misuse. Many of the products listed herein have valid uses or could have them if rules were put into place to regulate potential abuse. A few, however, just leave you scratching your head.

    According to Logic Technology CEO Eli Alelov, e-cigarettes are currently not regulated in any way by the government. Logic manufactures a line of electronic cigarettes, which Alelov says his company holds to a high standard. That said, he is concerned that less scrupulous manufacturers can hurt his industry and place the public at risk. “Cheap e-cigs are hurting the e-cig industry” he said. “For example, if a smoker tries a cheap, knock-off brand they’ll get turned off to e-cigs because of a negative experience.” Beyond simply turning off customers, the lack of regulation means that some companies can choose to not put age warning labels on packs and that they can manufacture electronic cigarettes in flavors likely to appeal to kids.

    Electronic cigarettes

    According to Logic Technology CEO Eli Alelov, e-cigarettes are currently not regulated in any way by the government. Logic manufactures a line of electronic cigarettes, which Alelov says his company holds to a high standard. That said, he is concerned that less scrupulous manufacturers can hurt his industry and place the public at risk. “Cheap e-cigs are hurting the e-cig industry,” he said. “For example, if a smoker tries a cheap, knock-off brand they’ll get turned off to e-cigs because of a negative experience.” Beyond simply turning off customers, the lack of regulation means that some companies can choose not to put age warning labels on packs and that they can manufacture electronic cigarettes in flavors likely to appeal to kids.

    Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
    Aside from the orange tip, Airsoft guns look like guns. Though they are supposed to be used in competitions in the style of paintball guns, no effort has been made to make an Airsoft gun not look like an actual weapon. It’ easy to imagine one of these pellet guns being mistaken for a pistol even though its actual potential to hurt someone is limited to raising minor welts.

    Airsoft guns

    Aside from the orange tip, Airsoft guns look like guns. Though they are supposed to be used in competitions in the style of paintball guns, no effort has been made to make an Airsoft gun not look like an actual weapon. It’s easy to imagine one of these pellet guns being mistaken for a pistol even though its actual potential to hurt someone is limited to raising minor welts.

    Some states limit these tiny motorcycles to race tracks and private land, but others allow them on the roads. In Massachusetts, according to pocketbikeplanet.com, these tiny motorcycles are legally considered motorized scooters. Because of this, they can be ridden on the side of the road as long as the rider has a helmet on. Because the pocket bike – some of which can go 50 miles per hour – is not considered a motorcycle – it can be used without a license or permit.

    Mini motorcycles

    Some states limit these tiny motorcycles to race tracks and private land, but others allow them on the roads. In Massachusetts, according to pocketbikeplanet.com, these tiny motorcycles are legally considered motorized scooters. Because of this, they can be ridden on the side of the road as long as the rider has a helmet on. Because the pocket bike – some of which can go 50 miles per hour – is not considered a motorcycle so it can be used without a license or permit.

    Lots of restaurants serve unhealthy food, but few, if any, take it quite so gleefully to the extreme as the Heart Attack Grill. According to the Heart Attack Grill’s website, the eatery is “a hospital themed restaurant in downtown Las Vegas. It has become internationally famous for embracing and promoting an unhealthy diet of incredibly large hamburgers. Customers are referred to as ‘patients,’ orders as ‘prescriptions,’ and the waitresses as “nurses.” All those who weigh over 350 pounds are invited to unlimited free food provided they weigh themselves on an electronic platform in front of a cheering restaurant crowd.” 
The most amazing menu item, however, are the Bypass Burgers. Originally, the largest one of these was the Quadruple, a monstrosity that weighs in at over 2 pounds with nearly 10,000 calories. Since, 2012, however, the Heart Attack Grill offers every size up to an eight-pattied Octuple, which would have enough calories for the average man for nearly ten days.

    The Heart Attack Grill’s Bypass Burgers

    Lots of restaurants serve unhealthy food, but few, if any, take it quite so gleefully to the extreme as the Heart Attack Grill. According to the Heart Attack Grill’s website, the eatery is “a hospital themed restaurant in downtown Las Vegas. It has become internationally famous for embracing and promoting an unhealthy diet of incredibly large hamburgers. Customers are referred to as ‘patients,’ orders as ‘prescriptions,’ and the waitresses as ‘nurses.’ All those who weigh over 350 pounds are invited to unlimited free food provided they weigh themselves on an electronic platform in front of a cheering restaurant crowd.”

    The most amazing menu item, however, are the Bypass Burgers. Originally, the largest one of these was the Quadruple, a monstrosity that weighs in at over 2 pounds with nearly 10,000 calories. Since 2012, however, the Heart Attack Grill offers every size up to an eight-pattied Octuple, which would have enough calories for the average man for nearly 10 days.

    Essentially, a radar detector is a product that helps people avoid detection for breaking the law. The device, which is legal in Massachusetts, alerts users when their car is being pinged by radar. In theory, this lets the driver slow down and avoid getting ticketed. Basically, a radar detector is a way to speed without getting caught.

    Radar detectors

    Essentially, a radar detector is a product that helps people avoid detection for breaking the law. The device, which is legal in Massachusetts, alerts users when their car is being pinged by radar. In theory, this lets the driver slow down and avoid getting ticketed. Basically, a radar detector is a way to speed without getting caught.

    It’s not illegal to make your own weapon, provided that weapon does not violate any existing laws. That means, if you want to build a bat with nails in it to protect your home or a sling shot to slay any rogue giants, then have at it. You can also build homemade firearms, though they have to conform to all existing gun laws.

    Improvised weapons

    It’s not illegal to make your own weapon, provided that the weapon does not violate any existing laws. That means, if you want to build a bat with nails in it to protect your home or a slingshot to slay any rogue giants, then have at it. You can also build homemade firearms, though they have to conform to all existing gun laws.

    ABED AL HASHLAMOUN/EPA
    An alcohol vaporizer lets you ingest booze without any of that pesky drinking. On Jan 11, 2013, The Huffington Post did an article on how 48 of 50 states have no rules regulating getting inebriated via a vaporizer. A vaporizer works by turning alcohol into a gas which can be ingested quickly getting the user drunk faster than simply drinking. Vaporizers are not hard to find at legitimate retail websites and there are even some bars offering “vapor shots” to customers.

    Alcohol vaporizers

    An alcohol vaporizer lets you ingest booze without any of that pesky drinking. On Jan. 11, 2013, The Huffington Post did an article on how 48 of 50 states have no rules regulating getting inebriated via a vaporizer. A vaporizer works by turning alcohol into a gas which can be ingested quickly getting the user drunk faster than simply drinking. Vaporizers are not hard to find at legitimate retail websites and there are even some bars offering “vapor shots” to customers.

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