New Law Limits Sale of Meth Ingredient
To combat the proliferation of methamphetamine, city officials this week agreed to limit the sale of one of the drug’s key ingredients.
Upon recommendation from the California Grocers Assn. and police, the City Council on Tuesday agreed to curb the sale of products that contain ephedrine, a stimulant found in many cold medicines, throat lozenges and related products.
Ephedrine frequently is removed from the over-the-counter medicines and used to cook methamphetamine, which goes by the street names speed, crystal meth and ice. Police said they have not identified a problem with drug makers cooking speed within city limits, but they want to preempt any attempts.
The new misdemeanor law forbids pharmacies, markets and other retailers from selling more than three packages--or 100 pills--of cold medicines containing ephedrine to a customer per day.
Merchants and customers who violate the law face as much as six months in jail and $1,000 in fines.
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